3.15: Behavior Guidance

Behavior Guidance

The following policies outline the program's approach to guiding children’s behavior in a way that supports their development and creates a safe, nurturing environment for all.

1. Program Philosophy on Positive Behavior Guidance

At this program, we believe that behavior guidance should be rooted in understanding the developmental needs of each child and fostering a positive, supportive environment. Our approach emphasizes:

• Teaching children self-regulation and problem-solving skills.
• Encouraging empathy, cooperation, and respect for others.
• Reinforcing positive behaviors through recognition and encouragement.
• Redirecting challenging behaviors with developmentally appropriate strategies.

We strive to model and teach behaviors that support children’s growth, understanding that challenging behaviors are often opportunities for learning.

2. Action Steps for Staff to Guide Children’s Behavior

Staff are expected to take the following steps to guide behavior effectively:

• Build Relationships: Establish trust and positive connections with children by showing empathy and active listening.
• Set Clear Expectations: Use simple, age-appropriate language to explain rules and routines. Consistently reinforce these expectations.
• Redirect Behavior: Offer choices or redirect children to more appropriate activities to help them shift focus and avoid conflict.
• Provide Positive Reinforcement: Praise and acknowledge children when they display positive behaviors, such as sharing, cooperating, or following directions.
• Model Appropriate Behavior: Demonstrate the behaviors you want children to imitate, such as using polite language, sharing, and problem-solving calmly.
• Teach Problem-Solving: Guide children through resolving conflicts by helping them identify emotions, express their needs, and find fair solutions.
• Stay Calm and Patient: Respond to challenging behaviors calmly to de-escalate situations and avoid power struggles.
• Engage Families: Communicate with families about behavior concerns, sharing strategies to promote consistency between home and school.

3. Prohibition on Corporal Punishment

The program maintains a strict prohibition on corporal punishment and any form of physical or emotional harm.

Prohibited Actions Include:

• Hitting, spanking, shaking, pinching, or other physical punishment.
• Yelling, shaming, belittling, or using threatening language.
• Denying food, water, or restroom access as a form of punishment.
• Isolating a child in a manner that is harmful or frightening.

Any staff member found violating this policy will face immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination. This policy complies with all applicable laws and licensing requirements.

4. Biting Incidents

Biting is a common behavior in young children, particularly in infants and toddlers, as they develop communication and self-regulation skills. The program handles biting incidents with sensitivity and professionalism:

1. Immediate Response:
   • Comfort the child who was bitten and provide first aid as needed.
   • Calmly address the child who bit without anger or punishment. Use simple language to explain that biting is not acceptable (e.g., "Biting hurts. We use our words or ask for help.").
2. Documentation:
   • Complete an incident report for both children involved, including factual details of the incident.
   • Notify the families of both children on the same day. Maintain confidentiality by not disclosing the identity of the other child involved.
3. Prevention Strategies:
   • Observe patterns or triggers (e.g., frustration, teething) and adjust the environment or interactions to reduce biting behaviors.
   • Provide teething toys or other sensory tools for children who are teething.
   • Use close supervision to intervene before a child bites.
4. Ongoing Support:
   • If biting persists, collaborate with the child’s family to implement strategies for addressing the behavior.
   • Document incidents and progress to monitor improvement.

By handling biting incidents constructively, we support the developmental needs of all children while ensuring the safety and trust of families.

This behavior guidance policy supports a positive and respectful environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.