I provide an
environment that encourages caring and cooperative
relationships. My objective is to help children
learn the social skills they need to resolve
conflicts in a socially acceptable way, and to
their own satisfaction, without loss of
pride.
I reinforce
appropriate behaviour through words and gestures
(i.e.: "That's nice of you to share the lego with
your friends." or "Thanks for closing the door
gently Cody�give me five, dude!") which encourages
them to repeat the desired behaviour.
I actively
encourage verbal expression. I want all the
children to learn to use their words and label how
they are feeling. I encourage the children to come
to me for guidance and help when they are in
uncomfortable, frustrating, or harmful situations.
As I am willing to intervene by listening and
responding with fairness to all involved, it helps
to prevent larger problems such as verbal or
physical encounters.
I do not
permit hitting, biting, kicking and other forms of
physical abuse, nor do I permit verbal and
emotional abuse or manipulation. Fighting children
will be separated. I will get between them, say
their names and tell them to stop. I will state
that they are not allowed to act this way and
encourage them to explain what happened according
to each of their perceptions of the other. I will
then reinforce the fact that it is not okay to
fight and offer them both suggestions of what they
should have done. If a child is still angry and
needs to talk, I will listen to the child and help
him/her resolve the problem. If the problem or
situation occurs again, then I will assess it and
intervene, by either removing the toy or piece of
equipment from the children's play options,
suggesting another activity (i.e.: walk, puzzles,
quiet time) or, in more serious/frequent
situations, by telling the child/children to sit on
the couch for a time-out (I call them 'sit &
think') after explaining what a time-out is. After
the 'sit & think', I will praise them for their
first appropriate or acceptable behaviour as the
end result should always be a positive learning
experience.
Discipline
involves a continuous process of guiding behaviour
and is offered while acceptable behaviour is
occurring, as well as before, during, and after
unacceptable behaviour may be displayed. While
there are a wide variety of theories and approaches
related to guiding children's behaviour, the goal
remains constant: to assist children in developing
self-control, self-confidence, and ultimately,
self-discipline and sensitivity in their
interactions with others.
As a
caregiver, I will not allow children to be:
> Subjected to any
form of corporal punishment (hitting,
spanking, etc.)
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> Subjected to
degrading treatment, whether verbal,
emotional or physical, that ...would humiliate the child or
undermine the child's self respect.
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>
Confined, physically
restrained or kept, without adult
supervision, apart from other ...children, as a form of
punishment.
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>
Deprived of meals, snacks,
rest or necessary use of a toilet, as a
form of ...punishment.
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................................................
...Roxene
Walters
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