When young children are being disruptive, having a tantrum or get into an argument with each other it is important to use positive strategies to redirect behaviour (ie: help the children calm down).
The words educators use as well as their actions must be clear, positive (we can't "tell the children off") and we need to help the children to understand why certain behaviours might not be a good choice. The way we speak to them should also allow them to make their own decision about whether or not they will make a good or not so good choice about their behaviour.
Here is a list of positive things to say on the right:
One day at HEY the children were playing a game of “What’s the Time Mr Wolf?” with Kate. At one point there was a bit of argy bargy between two boys and Kate intervened telling one child “stop, finished” and using the sign language for finish as the boy does not speak a lot of English. Kate recognised her own achievement – telling me “I did good huh Lynda? I used my firm voice”.
Task: Even though Kate is learning how to use her firm voice, the next step is to start thinking of positive alternatives to some instructions given to the children. For example, instead of "stop, finished" what could you have said from the above table that helps the child make the decision to move away from the fight?
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