What are some ways to SUPPORT POSITIVE BEHAVIOR IN PRESCHOOLERS?

Children can be responsible for their own behavior. Sometimes they simply need to be reminded to stop and think about what they’re doing. “Where do you need to be now?” “What is your responsibility?” “What will happen if you do that?” “You can decide to stop crying.”

By helping a child look at their own behavior, we help him or her make decisions and avoid any further negative behavior. A decision for positive behavior can be rewarded with encouragement. We all learn by doing, even if the “doing” is a mistake, but we can choose go not have a repeat performance. Encourage your child to follow his own course of action in a thoughtful manner, not just an impetuous one.

EXAMPLES OF TEACHER LANGUAGE

You can use your self-control.
I liked the way you thought that out.
What can you do about that?
How else could you do that?
What is your responsibility?
Why do you think that happened? (We’re careful not to blame.)
That is your responsibility.
We are all responsible.
What will happen if you…….?
You can use words.
Tell him/her how you fell.
Did I have a reason for saying that?
Accidents happen to everyone. Can I help you clean it up? Or, how can we fix it?
With a hurt child, “What can we do to help you feel better?”
You can decide…
To stop crying.
To be a part of the group.
To try.
Just pretend you can do it.
(Always the imperative of responsibility and consequences of the decisions.)

What is the language to use to show acceptance of a child and OPENNESS to his or her actions and ideas?

That’s one way to think about it.
Some people believe that.
Did you ever think about it this way?
I don’t know.
The way we look at things isn’t always the same.
What do you think?
Reasonable people can disagree.
You have to look at all the possibilities.
I can’t decide that for you.
I can accept that.
Yes, and sometimes it seems….
I hear what you’re saying.