Teaching Expectations

and Rules

Unpacking the Pyramid Model:

A Practical Guide for Preschool Teachers

Created by Pyramid Model developers and experts, this is the first book to provide a comprehensive, step‐by‐step overview of the Pyramid Model for children ages 2–5.

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Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children

Defining Behavior Expectations and Rules

Expectations

• Expectations = general ways you want people to act. They will apply to all children across all settings.
  Example Expectations:
• Be Respectful
• Be Polite
• Be Safe
• Be a Team Player
• Be Responsible
• Be Honest
• Be Peaceful
• Be Friendly

Program-Wide Expectations

• Creates a shared focus and continuity for program, school, classrooms
• Gives school/program a shared language
• Communicates positively what is desired

Rules

Example Rules:

• Keep hands and feet to yourself
• Walk with your group
• Use nice words
• Listen for teacher directions

Rules = will help to clarify expectations for specific settings. They may only apply in certain settings.

Individualizing Rules to Meet Children’s Needs

Expectations vs. Rules

• We Are Superfriends
• Walking Feet
• Feet On The Floor
• Safety First
• Show Respect
• Keep Your Eyes on the Teacher

Developing Expectations and Rules

General Guidelines about Expectations and Rules

• Get Staff and Families’ input in developing expectations
• Involve the children in developing the rules.
• Post the expectations and rules and include a visual to help children understand.
• Teach the expectations and rules systematically.
• Reinforce the expectations and rules at high rates initially and at lower rates throughout the year.

Guidelines Should Be:

• Positively stated
• Posted (child level with visual)
• Few in Number (less than 5)
• Reviewed daily as a group
• Discussed throughout the day

Reminder

• Keep your list of expectations and rules short so children will be able to learn and memorize them.
• Use words that children will understand.

Teaching and Acknowledging Expectations and Rules

Teaching Strategies

• Systematically
• Embedding opportunities for practice
• Examples and Non-examples
• Positive descriptive feedback
• Adult Modeling
• Modeling with Puppets
• Use of Games
• Classroom activities

Promoting Expectations

• Bulletin Boards
• T-shirts
• Photo Displays
• Classroom books
• Plays
• Family lesson plans
• Video production
• Staff acknowledgement

Acknowledging the Expectations

Powering Up With Families

Partnering With Families

Household Rules

• Encourage families to create household rules.
• Help them make rules that teach their children what TO DO.
• Provide strategies to use for teaching and reinforcing the rules.

Questions?

Thank You

The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H326B170003. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project officer, Sunyoung Ahn.