Almost every parent/teacher/child care provider has experienced a child acting out. This acting out behavior may not be the same as the child’s usual behavior. Here are a couple tips:
1. Be consistent. Have a daily schedule that has consistent routines. Children feel more secure when they can predict what comes next. For example, washing hands before eating is a consistent routine in the daily schedule. Putting toys away before going outside is consistent in the daily schedule.
Be consistent by following through on what you say. When a child is told that they can play with a toy after nap time, then this needs to happen just like it is said.
2. Prepared the child. Sometimes there may be a change in the daily routine. Let the child know ahead of time so he knows what to expect. For example, say “After snack this morning Dr. Jones will come to our class and meet with us on the rug.” or “After snack this morning, we are going to the store then we will come home.”
Changes in the environment is somewhat uncomfortable for some children. Avoid surprising them on Monday by saying on Friday “On Monday, we will talk about fish. Would you like to help me put away the firemen books and set out some fish books for Monday?”
A few years ago a child would ask me every day what is happening throughout the day. When he knew the schedule he happily settled into contented play. He was comfortable and trusted the consistent routine with awesome behavior!
Enjoy your day!
Cathie
Very true! I have been working with kids for 13 years, and these are both very true!
I would love it if you would share this (and anything else you have been working on) at my linky party! http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/2013/01/friday-fascinations-8-everything-linky.html