Challenging Behavior

The current Exchange Insta-Poll asked, "In the coming year, what do you see as the major threats facing your organization?" Currently in the top position is.... "Children with challenging behavior," followed by "Shortages of qualified teachers," and "Competition from Pre-K in the Public Schools." You can cast your vote in the Insta-Poll and view all results.

In her article, "What's So Positive about Positive Discipline?", which serves as the basis for an Exchange Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name, Karen Stephens explores using positive discipline to reduce challenging behavior...

"Positive discipline helps children develop responsibility and independence as they treat materials with respect and care. Valuable social skills are developed as children learn to problem solve and defuse confrontations. Logical thinking is nurtured as children comprehend rules and reasons for them. When experiencing consequences, children learn about cause and effect. They learn to anticipate and predict events within their control.

"When positive discipline is used, caregivers introduce children to the world of relationships with compassion and patience. As a result, children develop social competence. Just as importantly, they learn to trust adults. By being treated with gentleness and high regard, they learn to respect and love themselves. All this is possible when teachers focus on positive practices. What greater legacy could an early childhood teacher leave?"

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