Positive Guidance Techniques , Developmentally Appropriate Activities and Practices are

 Positive Guidance Techniques and How Do We Tell Children


 they can feel like they have some control over their day and themselves?
 that they are safe?
 that they are not bad, but are making bad choices?
  that learning is what is important?
  that we value who they are?
  that we understand them?
  that we take their concerns and fears seriously?

Is based on what we know about the child
Is based on what we know about child development
Is administered with the goal of teaching children self-control and good decision making
Offers children choices
Leaves children’s self esteem intact
Employs natural and logical consequences
Offers consequences known and understood by the child
    -    Employs a system of utilizing the least confrontational choices whenever and wherever possible, escalated only when necessary
    -     Is consistent
   -      Takes into consideration situations, circumstances and individual children
    -     Is child-centered, capitalizing on a relationship build on trust and rapport

Punitive
Administered in anger
Rigid
About intimidation, or control for the sake of control
About being “right”


“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the
decisive element in the classroom.  It’s my personal approach
that creates the climate.    It’s my daily mood that makes the
weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power
to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. 
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. 
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.

In all situations it is my response that decides
whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated
and a child humanized or
                    de-humanized.”     - Haim Ginott



Developmentally Appropriate Activities and Practices are


        -        Based on what we know about how young children learn
         -      Relevant to children’s life experiences
        -      Based on the children’s current knowledge and abilities
         -      Respectful of cultural and individual differences and learning
                             styles
         -      Responsive to the interests and needs of the children
         -      Focused on the learning process, not the end product
        -     Thought provoking - stimulating and challenging the minds of
                            young children
        -     Based on the philosophy that children are competent and
                           trustworthy, and can make good decisions if given the                                                                                                         opportunity and practice


1.     Have children identify the  problem and feelings
2.     Re-state the problem
3.     Ask each child for ideas for solutions
4.     Negotiate until children can agree upon some sort of compromise
    5.    Reinforce