A healthy, safe environment in a pre-school can facilitate children’s needs by developing necessary skills to develop their social and behavioral milestones. Taking turns, politeness, sharing and making choices are the ordinary preschool activities that offer opportunities for the development of these milestones.

Methods of developing self-discipline in children include: %u2022 Praising the behavior rather than the child %u2022 Encouraging and building a child’s self esteem %u2022 Setting limits according to the child’s age and stage of development %u2022 Using play and games with rules to help the child learn and understand boundaries %u2022 Adults leading by example as children imitate behavior %u2022 Avoiding isolation and humiliation of children %u2022 Being consistent - saying ‘No’ and meaning ‘No’ %u2022 Clarifying expectations and rules of behavior %u2022 Reinforcing positive behavior at all times i.e. display painting, rewards etc %u2022 Reinforcing positive behavior at all times i.e. display painting, rewards etc Day care workers should use these positive methods of discipline which will in turn encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem and cooperation. On the other hand, using the following as a means of correction is never acceptable: %u2022 Hitting, shaking, biting or any other physical restraint %u2022 Never humiliate, threaten or isolate a child- such emotional punishment is unacceptable %u2022 Depriving child of meals or snacks Unacceptable behaviors i.e. bullying and temper tantrums should be dealt with using a range of strategies. Effective tried and tested methods include: %u2022 Remove the child from the situation or distraction techniques %u2022 Explaining why this behavior is not acceptable %u2022 Offering the child an opportunity to regain control and become calm Biting falls into the category of difficult behavior and your range of approaches for dealing with said behavior would apply to this unsavory activity also. Children who display challenging behavior should have, with the involvement of parents and carers, a work plan developed specifically for them. Parents should be included, informed and supported to follow work plans for children, if and when appropriate. Sometimes it is necessary to seek additional support in the form of outside specialists. Where necessary additional support may be sought by referral to other professionals. This is not a negative thing and should be supported by parents and provider and a positive way forward.

The childcare worker should be supported to work on a one to one basis with a child who may be biting or displaying other challenging behavior over an agreed period of time. The aim being that the carer would attempt to extend the child’s interests by specifically engaging them in activites thus avoiding the difficult behaviors. Difficult and challenging behaviors, both in adults and children, respond positively to calm, constructive, consistent actions. Calm, constructive, consistent actions are essentially the most effective method of counteracting challenging behavior. Be patient, be vigilant, stick to your guns and you will out!

Fiona Lohrenz writes childcare articles based on the 10 years she has spent running a daycare. She also incorporates that knowledge into her ‘Start a ChildCare Business’ DVD Guide: Start A Day Care Business DVD Find out more at her website: ChildCareOnly.com

- Fiona Lohrenz