Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 10: Exploring Your Role in Guiding Children’s Behavior

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Child Guidance: Questions to Consider What is the teacher’s role in guiding behavior? What are some underlying causes of children’s behavior? What characteristics do you feel are most important in fostering effective communication between teachers and students? How can we use research to equip ourselves to deal with violence, aggression, and conflict?

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved General Goals of Child Guidance Create order so the group can function effectively Teach children to take responsibility for their own actions and acquire self-discipline Teach children to handle emotions and express feelings in appropriate ways Foster cooperation among children and adults Teach children the social responsibility and ethical principles needed to function as citizens in a democratic society

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Your Role in Child Guidance Is it necessary? Is it productive? Is it fair? Is it age appropriate?

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Underlying Causes of Children’s Behavior Physical Environment Basic Needs Are Unmet Curriculum Problems Cultural Differences Special Needs

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Preventing Behavior Problems Coach children to build prosocial skills Build positive interactions Know children’s abilities and limitations Have a well-organized classroom and established routines Discuss rules and consequences Teach, model, and review appropriate behaviors Learn to be a troubleshooter Avoid reinforcing wrong sorts of behavior Think before you speak Choose your battles Use children’s literature

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Six Precepts of Child Guidance 1.Identify with the child, not with the label 2.Focus on the child’s needs, not with the adult’s fear of failure 3.Go back to the basics in difficult situations 4.Don’t expect that you can make it all better 5.Follow the child’s lead 6.Learn how to talk with children about appropriate behavior

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Effective Communication Occurs When Teachers... Respect the child’s point of view Use a pleasant, calm, normal tone State clear, simple, polite, and firm expectations in a positive way Offer appropriate suggestions and alternatives Verbally appreciate children’s appropriate behavior Express feelings in appropriate ways Use humor to reduce tension Are consistent and predictable Use positive, affectionate nonverbal communication

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Violence Media Violence Family Violence Community Violence

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Aggression Is in the eye of the beholder Consider the child’s needs Work with the total group Is affected by social context

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Types of Conflicts Possession disputes Attention getting Power struggles Personality clashes Group-entry disputes Aggressive play Teasing and name calling Shifting blame

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Making Group Decisions Respect and Tolerance Timing and Patience Imagination and Leadership Cooperation and Communication

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Strategies for Making Group Decisions 1.Explain what a decision is 2.Brainstorm and record ideas 3.Decide what most people want to do 4.Follow through with the plan