BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE POLICY
Mutually respectful and trusting relationships are an important
way of life at the Maxwell Children's Center. As childrengrow, our
classrooms nurture positive behavior and the development of self-help
and control skills in many ways. Staff maintain daily routines,
set clear limits, redirect classroom activities as needed and help
children develop problem solving strategies. Teachers often
involve the children in discussions about rights of others and treatment
of property. Teachers help children balance the need for
individual expression with the needs and safety of the group.
Maxwell Children's Center staff is trained to guide your child's
behavior by word and example. Staff realizes that children
may not immediately understand or follow all expectations.
Children may need many opportunities and redirections before reaching
the realization that the following actions are not desirable behaviors:
- hitting, biting, or physically hurting other children
- teasing, name calling, or excluding children from play
- destroying other children's work or property
Some of the guidance and discipline techniques that will be used
with the children include:
- setting clear and enforceable limits
- modeling acceptable behavior
- recognizing each child's individual needs
- structuring the environment and schedules to maximize self control
- recognizing the children's efforts
- anticipating and eliminating potential problems
- redirection
- good timing of staff intervention
- planning the daily schedule in such a manner as to allow the
children a successful mixture of choice and structure
- use of natural and logical consequences
- restoring order without loss of child's self-esteem
- encouraging children to verbalize their feelings, rather than
demonstrate them physically
- encouraging children to use words to solve problems
When these techniques are not adequate and persistent unacceptable
behavior occur teachers will proceed in the following manner:
- The child's behavior will be documented through dated and signed
observation and anecdotal records
- If the child continues to exhibit unacceptable behavior he/she
will be seated away from the action to "cool down" and reflect
upon his/her behavior.
- Staff will notify the parents at pick-up time about the days
events. (NOTE: Any separation from the group will occur
within sight and hearing of the staff, and the length of time
will fit the age and maturity of the child.)
- In the event that the unacceptable behavior continues and is
disruptive to class members and routines, the director will contact
the parents and have him/her remove child from the program for
the remainder of that day.
- The staff will meet to discuss the behavior, develop and implement
a behavior management plan meeting the individual needs of the
child.
- Before the child is allowed to re-enter the program, parents
will schedule a conference with staff to discuss the behavior
management plan. and enlist their cooperation and input.
- Continued disruptive behavior may cause suspension or termination
of program enrollment. The Center staff works very hard to avoid
this outcome.
The following actions by staff or among children are prohibited:
- Corporal punishment which may include, but is not limited to,
rough handling, shoving hair pulling, ear pulling, shaking, slapping,
biting, punching, hitting, and spanking.
- Emotional abuse such as name calling, ostracism, shaming, making
derogatory remarks about the child or the child's family, and
using language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens child.
- Separation of the child from the group except as outlined above.
- Punishment for lapses in toilet habits.
- Withholding food, light, warm clothing, or medical care as a
punishment for unacceptable behavior.
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