Relationships
If you have been a direct care staff long enough to form positive relationships with the children, this connections will help you to change children’s behavior. If the children care about you, they are more likely to respond to your requests and interventions.
Group mood and structure
Being sensitive to what the group is feeling can help you change behavior. A bored or restless group can be a cue that you need to provide some activity. An excited, rowdy group can signal it is time for a calming activity. Group mood can also provide support in a crisis. When negative or inappropriate behaviors challenge or threaten that structure, children are quick to intervene in behalf of their group.
The child’s own …show more content…
When you do so, avoid closing the child in. Instead, offer choices. Teaching how to choose can provide significant learning in addiction to changes in behavior. By offering choices, you can change behavior and offer the children some control. If you choose to interrupt behavior, do so with a plan in mind. Avoid jumping into a situation without being in control of yourself. You are interrupting to discipline and to teach. A good teacher is prepared. Know why you are interrupting and what alternatives you will offer the …show more content…
1. The boys from MK Place were super excited during the Lava Hot Springs swimming trip. Most of them were finished riding the waterslide, and were just hanging out, splashing water, the excitement was beginning to rise. Bill Smith, the direct care staff, could sense the escalation of the group’s rowdiness. He decided to calm things down.
2. None of the girls wanted to leave the library. Sally Johnson thought she was going to have a full-scale rebellion on her hands. Several of the girls had paired off with boys, so she couldn’t even spot all the girls. She did, however, have a good relationship with the leader of the girls, Teresa.
3. David, the new boy in the house, was having another one of his temper tantrums. He was taking out his anger on the living room couch. He threw all the cushions on the floor and began jumping on them.
4. Sue Galesby wanted to talk to Janie after the other kids were in bed. Janie had successfully avoided a fight that day by talking out her anger rather than hitting. She was not sure what she should say to let Janie know how pleased she