Home » ExchangeEveryDay » Supporting Behavior: Compliance or Co-regulation?



ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues


<< Previous Issue | View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> ExchangeEveryDay
Supporting Behavior: Compliance or Co-regulation?
April 13, 2022
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.
-Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971), Bhuddist monk and teacher

“Too often, we as teachers focus on the behaviors that we find challenging rather than what is challenging the child,” writes Mike Huber in one of the articles on behavior in May/June’s “Focus On” feature in Exchange magazine. Huber opens by describing regularly challenging moments with 4 year old Charlie. “In Charlie’s case, he was yelling because he wanted to be left alone, including not having others look at him. I could have told Charlie that he cannot make others stop looking at him. I could have told him that he had to use ‘an inside voice.’ But my explanation would not be enough to make him stop yelling. I would have to include other incentives to stop yelling. I could threaten to put his name under the sad face on the behavior chart. I could make him move to a different area of the room. I could do any of these things but if I was honest, I would also have to realize that I was not teaching Charlie any new skills. I was trying to change his behavior through shame and/or fear.”

Huber continues, “What can a teacher do if they are not monitoring and charting children’s behavior? Just let the children run wild? The simple answer is no. The choice is not between compliance and chaos, but rather I invite you to explore if you and the child are ‘on the same team.’”

With co-regulation as the aim and the lens, Huber gently outlines this more collaborative and compassionate approach, and concludes, “Like all teaching practices, co-regulation takes practice, and you will not do it correctly each time. You will not always know what set a child off. You will not always calm a child enough to problem solve with them. And that is all right. What you will do is share space with them, care for them, and most importantly share your common humanity. This is teaching at its most pure."





Start YOUR Subscription to Exchange
The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine

Get instant access to our library of over 3,500 articles! With a digital or package subscription to Exchange magazine, you can access Articles on Demand, our exclusive online article vault. With over 3,500 articles, Articles on Demand is a helpful and practical go-to resource for when you need immediate advice and support.

 

ExchangeEveryDay

Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

What is ExchangeEveryDay?

ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.





Post a Comment

Have an account? to submit your comment.


required

Your e-mail address will not be visible to other website visitors.
required
required
required

Check the box below, to help verify that you are not a bot. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this form.



Disclaimer: Exchange reserves the right to remove any comments at its discretion or reprint posted comments in other Exchange materials.