Behaviors and Strategies for Home and Early Childhood Setting

The first five years of a child’s life is important for them to develop and learn desired behaviors.  In a family-centered program, early educators learn from families and families learn from early educators.  That is why it is essential that early childhood educators and parents work together to encourage desired behaviors at daycare as well as at home.  Developing a positive attachment with a caring adult affects all aspects of behavior and development in young children.  When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.  Babies who receive affection and nurturing from their parents have the best chance of healthy development.  A child's relationship with a consistent, caring adult in the early years is associated later in life with better academic grades, healthier behaviors, more positive peer interactions, and an increased ability to cope with stress.

  Ways to Encourage Attachment with Young Children

• Be a good role model.
• Provide age appropriate activities.
• Use positive discipline methods.
• Set and teach simple rules.
• Provide a safe and loving environment for children to explore, play, and learn. 
• Praise children appropriately.
• Form positive relationships with educators, children, and families.
• Reading books to your child every night.
• Eat dinner as a family.

• Spend time playing with your children.
• Show loving affection towards your children.

  Ways to Promote Self-Help Skills

• Provide kid friendly utensils, plates, and cups for children to eat on their own.
• Teach children how to properly wipe themselves and wash their hands after meals and using the bathroom.    
• Plan and provide appropriate activities based on their age and development levels. 
• Teaching children to put their own belongings, toys, books, and materials away when they are finish with them.
• Allow children to help prepare meals, set the table, and do simple chores.
• Provide activities or toys that help children learn to zip, tie, and button.
• Allow children to choose their own clothes and get dress on their own.

   
  Ways to Encourage Empowerment

• Be a good role model. 

• Read books that teach children the importance of positive thinking and good manners.
• Give children opportunities to play, learn, and explore their environment.
• Provide a variety of age appropriate activities.
• Provide a safe, nurturing, and child friendly environment.  
• Teach children rules.  
• Allow children to make choices.
• Teach children good manners.

         
  Ways to Encourage Appropriate Social Development

• Promote play in an early childhood setting and at home.
• Provide a block area for children to build together.
• Provide a dramatic play area for children to use their imagination together.
• Read books to teach children about feelings and emotions.
• Promote sharing, respect for others, and self-control.
• Teach children good morals and values.
• Show children how to express their emotions and feelings in appropriate way.

• Join playgroups or have children involved in extracurricular activities.

 
  Building self-esteem in Young Children

• Be a good role model.
• Respect, listen, and respond to children’s needs. 
• When educators and parents feel comfortable with who they are, children are more likely to feel good about themselves.
• Children are great imitators, so when they see the adults around them displaying self-confidence and self-assurance, they learn those behaviors.
• When adults laugh at and learn from their mistakes, children will realize errors can be corrected.
• Plan activities around the children’s talents, interests, and strengths.
• Allow children to learn new skills and interests that they might find enjoyable.
• Provide a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for children to explore, play, and learn. 
• Encourage children to try new things.
• Praise children appropriately.
• Educators and parents should always value themselves in a positive way.
• Show love and affection towards children.
• Educators and parents need to focus on behaviors, not the child.
• Promote healthy habits.
• Always listen and communicate with children in a positive way.
• Support children’s talents, interests, strengths.