better interactions better behavior_infographic
BETTER INTERACTIONS BETTER BEHAVIOR
Try these tips to increase positive interactions in the lives of all young children— and watch their behavior improve!
Teacher-child interactions Teacher-parent interactions Child-parent interactions
Brief Reflection Tool
- Do I monitor my body-language messages?
- Yes
- Sometimes
- No
- Ask yourself questions to unearth optimism (A self-reflection tool like this one can help!)
- Do I consider what I say before I say it?
- Yes
- Sometimes
- No
- “I wonder what could be causing stress for Ben?”
- Do I demonstrate sincerity?
- Yes
- Sometimes
- No
FAMILY RULES
| Message | Family Vision and Expectations |
|---|---|
| “When you dump food on the floor, I have to stop what I'm doing and clean up the mess. It makes me feel frustrated.” | Be kind; Practice active listening; Clean up after yourself; Be respectful; Listen to your parents. |
| Ask kids about their interests | Brush up on developmental milestones and share your knowledge with parents to ease their anxieties and help them adjust expectations. |
|---|---|
| Let them lead the discussion | Does furniture placement allow for easy child supervision? |
| Communicate genuine interest in their thoughts & feelings | Does each family member have enough personal space? |
Do this
- Start every day!
- Reassure them with info on developmental norms to minimize frustrations.
Have safety issues been addressed? Are items needed for activities easily accessible?
| Don’t jump in with advice right away | Parents are experts on their kids! | Reinforce positive behaviors with small incentives or visual aids. |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat the message back in different words | Recognize the value of any ideas or solutions they offer. | Use reinforcements. |
| Encourage the child to think about the problem |
and identify a solution
You can find the self-reflection tool in Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings
The information in this infographic is adapted from the following early childhood resources:
| Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings, by Dawn M. Denno, Victoria Carr | Little Kids, Big Worries, by Alice Sterling Honig | Using Skilled Dialogue to Transform Challenging Interactions, by V. Mark Durand | Optimistic Parenting, by Meme Hieneman, Karen Childs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parenting with Positive Behavior Support, by Isaura Barrera & Lucinda Kramer | Jane Sergay & Susan Hart Bell |