Helping Children Thrive in Preschool - What Parents and Teachers Can Do (with Mr. Chazz)
Nov 4, 2020
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Early childhood education specialist, Mr. Chazz, shares strategies for addressing behavior issues in preschool and creating nurturing learning environments. They discuss the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for challenging behaviors. Acknowledgement and partnership between parents and teachers are highlighted, along with the benefits of outdoor activities for children.
Understanding the underlying reasons behind challenging behavior, such as hitting or not following directions, is crucial in effectively addressing and managing the behavior.
Open and non-judgmental communication between parents and teachers is key in providing consistent support and addressing challenging behavior in children.
Deep dives
Understanding Children's Behavior
When a child displays challenging behavior such as hitting or not following directions, it is important to observe and understand the underlying reasons behind the behavior. Hitting, for example, may be a result of a child's inability to express themselves verbally or a lack of problem-solving skills. By observing the patterns and triggers of the behavior, caregivers can identify the specific challenges the child is facing. It is crucial to respond thoughtfully and manage one's own emotions to create a calm and supportive environment. Communicating with the child, teaching them alternative ways to handle situations, and setting developmentally appropriate expectations are effective strategies for addressing challenging behavior.
Parent-Teacher Partnership
A strong partnership between parents and teachers is essential in addressing children's challenging behavior. Open and non-judgmental communication is crucial to understand the child's behavior both at home and in the classroom. By sharing observations, discussing patterns, and working together on strategies, parents and teachers can provide consistent support to the child. Consistency is key in implementing strategies and helping the child develop the language and skills to solve problems effectively. COVID-19 has presented challenges to communication, but finding alternative ways, such as mid-day phone calls, can help maintain the parent-teacher partnership.
Balancing Structure and Autonomy
Creating a balanced schedule is important both in group care and at home. Circle time in a classroom can be engaging and participatory, incorporating songs and activities that captivate children's attention. A mixture of structured activities and free play allows children to explore and express their creativity. Developmentally appropriate expectations play a crucial role in avoiding unnecessary stress. Parental involvement in choosing a care center and understanding its philosophy is important to ensure a compatible educational approach. Similarly, at home, parents can provide a balance of structure and autonomous time for children to discover and learn.
Observation and Appreciating Individuality
Observation plays a central role in understanding and addressing children's behavior. Identifying triggers, patterns, and individual needs allows caregivers to tailor their responses and interventions. For instance, teaching a child to say 'stop' when feeling uncomfortable and reinforcing this communication both in the classroom and at home can empower the child to express their boundaries effectively. Recognizing that behavior is influenced by the environment helps caregivers adapt their approaches. Appreciating each child's uniqueness and avoiding excessive focus on conformity can support their self-expression and foster an enjoyable learning experience.
Early childhood education specialist Mr. Chazz joins Janet to discuss the common challenges children face in preschool. Chazz is the current Educational Supervisor of 9 preschools, a passionate teacher who has interacted with thousands of children, and an inspiring coach for both parents and teachers. He shares strategies for effectively addressing behavior issues and offer insights for parents and teachers to create nurturing learning environments that will set our kids up for success.
Mr. Chazz is available for parent coaching and can be found at: http://www.Patreon.com/MrChazz. His podcast is "Mr. Chazz’s Leadership, Parenting and Teaching Podcast." He's also on: Instagram - Mrchazz Tiktok - Mrchazzmrchazz Facebook - MrChazz MrChazz
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