Directions: In this activity, we will discuss guidance strategies that promote positive behavior as well as determine developmentally appropriate practices that will help students self discipline.

Question

You will write your response to the prompts for parts 1, 2, and 3 below as a discussion post. Then, you will comment on another post.

Part 1: Effective Communication Paragraph
In order to guide and teach children, the first step is recognizing ways to effectively communicate the expectations and consequences with them. In one paragraph, explain the components of effective communication with children. You may use the material you learned in this course as well as any outside reliable sources that you find.

Part 2: Positive Guidance Strategies List
Create a list of positive guidance strategies that are developmentally appropriate for a certain age group. Some of these might fall under the categories of modeling, behavior modification, and cognitive approaches. Please note which age group you are choosing to research/write about (toddler, preschool, school-aged 6-12) Please describe how you would use at least three of the strategies to help a child or group of children learn self-management skills.

Part 3: Impact of Human Development Theories
Have you ever heard someone older than you say "Well, we did _____ when I was younger and I turned out just fine". It is funny how fast things can change; the more we learn, the more we can grow as a society.

In this unit, we researched many different theories on development. In this last section, please discuss the impact of human development theories on the evolution of early childhood care and learning. You may comment on one or more of the following:
How has research into how children develop influenced how teachers teach them?
What piece of knowledge of how children develop/learn stuck with you the most? Why?
What is something that was done "back in the day", that you would advocate for a teacher to stop doing because of the research that you learned? Why?
Part 4: Respond to a classmate
Write a thoughtful and respectful response to a classmate's discussion post. Your comment should be specific and include a direct quote. You will not see other posts until you have completed your post.

Answer 1

Part 1: Effective Communication Paragraph
Effective communication with children is essential for guiding and teaching them in a positive way. According to the material in this course and reliable sources, there are several components to effective communication with children. Firstly, it is important to use clear and age-appropriate language that children can understand easily. This helps to avoid confusion and promotes comprehension of the expectations and consequences being communicated. Secondly, active listening is crucial in effective communication with children. This involves giving them our full attention, maintaining eye contact, and responding appropriately to their questions or concerns. By actively listening, we show children that their thoughts and feelings are valued. Lastly, it is important to provide consistent and predictable communication. Children thrive in routine and familiar situations, so by consistently communicating expectations and consequences, we provide them with a sense of structure and security. Overall, effective communication with children involves using clear language, active listening, and providing consistency and predictability in our communication.

Part 2: Positive Guidance Strategies List
Age Group: Preschool

1. Modeling: Modeling appropriate behavior is an effective way to guide preschoolers in developing self-management skills. Through observing positive behavior exhibited by adults or older children, preschoolers can learn how to behave in various situations. By intentionally modeling self-discipline, such as using calming strategies or following routines, we can teach preschoolers the importance of self-management.

2. Behavior modification: Positive reinforcement is a powerful strategy for promoting self-management skills in preschoolers. By consistently praising and rewarding desired behaviors, such as following instructions or using problem-solving skills, we can encourage children to continue exhibiting those behaviors. This can include verbal praise, stickers, or small rewards that are meaningful to the child.

3. Cognitive approaches: Use of visual cues and prompts can be an effective way to support preschoolers in developing self-management skills. For example, providing visual schedules or charts outlining the steps to follow in completing a task can help children understand and independently manage their routines. Additionally, teaching preschoolers strategies for self-control, such as deep breathing or counting to ten, can help them regulate their emotions and behaviors.

Part 3: Impact of Human Development Theories
Research into how children develop has greatly influenced how teachers teach them in early childhood care and learning. One major impact is the shift towards a more child-centered approach. Understanding theories like Piaget's cognitive development and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory has highlighted the importance of considering individual differences and allowing children to actively construct their knowledge through hands-on experiences. This has led to a move away from traditional teacher-centered instruction towards more child-led and play-based learning approaches.

The piece of knowledge on how children develop/learn that stuck with me the most is the importance of social-emotional development. Learning about Erikson's stages of psychosocial development and the impact of early relationships on a child's overall development made me more aware of the significance of fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for young children. I now prioritize building positive relationships with my students and supporting their emotional well-being in addition to their academic growth.

One thing that I would advocate for teachers to stop doing because of the research I learned is using punishment as a primary means of discipline. Research has shown that punishments are not effective in promoting long-term behavior change and can have negative effects on a child's self-esteem and relationship with the teacher. Instead, using positive guidance strategies and focusing on teaching self-discipline skills can lead to more positive outcomes for children.

Part 4: Response to a classmate
I completely agree with your points on effective communication with children. You mentioned the importance of clear language, active listening, and consistency in communication. I found this quote from your post particularly insightful: "By consistently communicating expectations and consequences, we provide them with a sense of structure and security." This really emphasizes the role that consistency plays in effective communication with children. Children thrive when they know what to expect and when their environment feels safe and predictable. Keep up the great ideas!