Learning appropriate behaviour is part of your child’s social development. Our staff aim to help children to be responsible for their own behaviour and to develop an understanding of what is appropriate in different situations.
Behavior Strategies
You are encouraged to discuss your child’s behavior with the qualified staff in your child’s playroom to ensure consistent behavior expectations between home and the Centre. Limits to children’s behaviour will always be clearly expressed in positive terms and reinforced consistently in a developmentally appropriate way. Children will be encouraged to settle their differences in a peaceful manner. The staff will focus on positive behaviour, providing praise and encouragement where appropriate. Wherever possible problems will be prevented before they arise by using methods such as diversion and providing enough equipment for all.
After the child has been given every chance to respond positively and if all methods fail to result in an improvement in behaviour, the Director will discuss alternative care with the parent, in consideration of the health and safety of other children in care.
Limits
We find the following limits necessary to protect the safety and well being of every child and ask parents to reinforce these with their child:
- Respect for other people and their property.
- Leaving the room only under adult supervision or knowledge.
- Walking only inside.
- Children are discouraged from throwing sand and toys and using inappropriate language.
Where necessary a few minutes sitting away from the group will be used to emphasis displeasure of inappropriate behavior. “Sit and Watch” time will be no longer than 2 minutes and the child must sit in the “Sit and Watch” position and observe the children’s correct and acceptable behavior until the caregiver tells them it is time to resume play. No further punishment will be given and the child will be reminded in positive terms of the expected behavior. At no time will a child receive any form of corporal punishment e.g. smacked, made immobile, frightened or humiliated in any way, nor will food or drink be withheld as a form of punishment.
Behaviour Analysis
If children consistently display unacceptable behaviour the following points will be considered.
The expectations of the child’s behaviour are realistic and appropriate to their developmental level.
- The child understands the limits.
- There is no conflict between Centre and home expectations.
- The child’s needs are being met.
- The child has no impediments which may cause the unacceptable behaviour e.g. dietary problems, poor hearing, poor co-ordination, communication difficulties, illness or emotional distress.
- The child is not copying observed behaviour.
- Events at the Centre have not encouraged the behaviour.
- Consequences of the behaviour do not encourage it to persist
- Strategies are consistently followed by all caregivers in contact with the child.
Biting and hitting are normal behaviours in the development of most children, usually caused by lack of verbal communication skills. These behaviours will be dealt with using the same positive behaviour guiding strategies that staff use to deal with other unacceptable behaviours.
Parents will be asked to assist staff at times of seen problems and if necessary; with the parent’s permission outside assistance will be sought.
Alternative care
After the child has been given every chance to respond positively and if all methods fail to result in an improvement in behaviour, the Director will discuss alternative care with the parent, in consideration of the health and safety of other children in care.