Discipline Problems

Here is some valuable information from a class called "Strategies for Managing the Difficult Child in the Classroom-Prevention and Intervention." It is helpful information for both teachers and parents.

The instructor taught that all children want five things:
First, to be heard.
Second, to be involved in making the rules.
Third, to be free to make meaningful choices.
Forth, an opportunity to do his or her own thing, and
Fifth, to be accepted.

How well are we doing these five things in our families and here at the preschool? Our teachers think about each child and how to find ways to meet the needs expressed in these five areas. It must be noted that the developmentally appropriate practice philosophy that we believe in here at the preschool supports very well these ideas.

Here are some guidelines for the prevention of discipline problems:

• Care about and respect the child.
• Be consistent and follow through in each situation.
• Be patient, give children time to resolve their problems.
• Help children feel it is okay to make mistakes and have an environment that supports this.
  Acknowledge their strengths and successes.
• If possible redirect the negative activity to something positive.
• Ask the question, "Are my expectations appropriate for the child’s age?"

Here are some guidelines for intervention that help us with our discipline problems:

• Praise the action we want, so there is positive reinforcement.
• Model the behavior we expect in the children.
• Check the environment- does it encourage good behavior? Is it well organized?
• Are we flexible or rigid?
• Can I ignore some of the negative behavior so that I don’t reinforce it?
• Plan for those transition times of moving a child or children from one activity to the next (for example, from outside play to snack or dinner to bedtime, etc.)
• If we are honest and analyze these points there is plenty to consider in trying to teach young children how to behave.