In my years supervising students and professionals in early childhood settings, I've witnessed first-hand the struggles and frustrations that many face. One of the most significant issues is the lack of adequate, specific training for behaviour management. While educators may receive in-house training on behaviour policies and procedures, these often become tokenistic and irrelevant in real-life, in-the-moment situations.
How do we find balance and let go of the need to control?
Traditional approaches, such as time-outs or removal from activities, simply do not work. Staff members, often tired and dealing with their own stresses, can become impatient and frustrated, leading to quick fixes. These quick fixes might get a child to listen or sit still momentarily, but they do not address the root causes of the behaviour. We must remember that every child is unique, with their own life experiences, cultures, and parenting styles.
Research by Alfie Kohn, in his book Punished by Rewards, highlights that punitive behaviour policies can damage the intrinsic motivation of children and lead to long-term negative outcomes. Instead, relational approaches, such as those advocated by Dan Siegel in The Whole-Brain Child, focus on understanding and addressing the emotional needs of children, fostering a supportive environment that encourages positive behaviour through connection and empathy.
"Education without love, compassion, and understanding is incomplete."
How can we become more compassionate and provide a safe, caring environment despite punitive policies and high expectations?
Children should be free to play, explore, and be themselves, retreating when they need to, just as they would at home. Early childhood education is about laying the foundations, building resilience, trust, and understanding individual needs. School readiness and curriculum agendas should take a back seat until children feel a sense of belonging, safety, and most importantly, feel valued in the moment.
At Informed Early Years, our e-learning and training programmes are designed to help you ensure that children's wellbeing is always the number one priority. Let's make a commitment to nurturing our children today, ensuring they feel heard, loved, and supported.
Can you confidently answer these FOUR fundamental questions?
What are you doing to be more relational?
Are you understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviour?
Is the wellbeing of your children your priority?
Are you consistent with your approaches in practice?
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Together, we can make a difference.
Carly
Lead Consultant
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