Behavior Management Techniques That Align with Developmentally Appropriate Practice - post

What Does "Developmentally Appropriate" Mean?

You might hear the phrase "Developmentally Appropriate Practice" (DAP) a lot. It sounds fancy, but it is actually very simple. It means treating children in a way that fits their age and stage of #growth.

Think about shoes. You would not ask a 2-year-old to wear size 10 shoes. They are too big! The child would trip and fall. Behavior is the same way. You cannot ask a 2-year-old to sit still like a 10-year-old. If you do, they will fail.

When we use behavior management that is #developmentally-appropriate, we look at what a child can actually do. We set them up to succeed, not to fail. This makes the #classroom happier for everyone. It is the foundation of effective #BehaviorManagement.

Why Is Prevention Better Than Punishment?

The best way to stop bad behavior is to stop it before it starts. This is called prevention. Many "bad" behaviors happen because the environment is not right for the child. 

Imagine a room full of breakable vases. If you put a #toddler in that room, they will break something. Is the toddler bad? No. The room was not #safe for them.

Here are ways to fix the environment: 

• Organize the Space: If there is too much open space, children will run. Use furniture to break up the room into small #play-areas.
• Have Enough Toys: If there is only one red truck and five children want it, there will be a fight. Make sure you have duplicates of popular toys.
• Use Pictures: Put pictures on bins so children know where toys go. This helps them clean up without getting frustrated.

To #learn more about setting up your space to prevent problems, you can take the course Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light. It teaches you how to guide children gently by changing the world around them.

How Does Routine Help Behavior?

Children need to know what comes next. When they know the plan, they feel safe. When they feel safe, they behave better. An unpredictable day causes anxiety. Anxiety often looks like hitting, screaming, or crying.

You should have a consistent daily schedule. But you also need to help children move between activities. This is called a "transition." Transitions are hard for young children. They do not like to stop playing to wash their hands.

Try these transition tips:

• Give Warnings: Say, "In two minutes, we will clean up."
• Use Songs: Sing a "Clean Up" song. Music makes the work feel like play.
• Use Visuals: Show a picture of the next activity. "Look, next is snack time!"

What Is Positive Reinforcement?

It is easy to notice when children are doing something wrong. "Stop running!" "Don't touch that!" But how often do you notice when they are doing something right?

#PositiveDiscipline relies on catching them being good. This is called positive reinforcement. When you praise a behavior, the child wants to do it again.

Instead of just saying "Good job," be specific.

• Say: "I see you put the blocks away. That was very helpful."
• Say: "I like how you waited for your turn on the slide."

This tells the child exactly what you want them to do. It builds their confidence. It teaches them that they can get attention for being good, not just for being loud.

Why Are Choices So Powerful?

Toddlers and #preschoolers want power. They want to be the boss. When you tell them what to do all day, they fight back. This is a power struggle.

You can stop the fight by giving them choices. When you give a choice, you share the power. But you must only give choices that are okay with you.

• Don't ask: "Do you want to clean up?" (They will say no!)
• Do ask: "Do you want to pick up the red blocks or the blue blocks first?"
• Don't ask: "Do you want to get dressed?"
• Do ask: "Do you want to wear your coat or your sweater?"

This trick works like magic. The child feels like they are in control, but you are still getting the result you want.

How Do We Teach Social Skills?

We often expect children to know how to share or be kind. But these are skills they have to learn, just like reading or counting. You have to teach them.

If two children are fighting over a doll, do not just take the doll away. Use it as a teaching moment.

1. Calm everyone down.
2. Ask what happened. "You both want the doll."
3. Ask for ideas. "How can we solve this?"
4. Try a solution. "Maybe we can set a timer for turns?"

This takes time. But over time, the children learn to solve problems on their own. This is a huge part of #SocialEmotionalLearning.

Building strong relationships is the key to this teaching. When children trust you, they listen to you. The course Connections That Count: Building Relationships in Child Care focuses on how to build these bonds with children and their families.

What About "Time-Outs"?

In the past, many #teachers used "time-out." They would put a child in a chair alone when they misbehaved. But modern research shows this is not always the best way. It can make children feel rejected and angry. It does not teach them how to behave.

Instead of a time-out, try a "Time-In" or a "Calm-Down Corner." This is a special place with soft pillows, #books, and calming toys (like a #stress ball). 

When a child is upset, you can say, "You look angry. Would you like to go to the calm-down corner to feel better?" You can go with them. Help them take deep breaths. Once they are calm, they can return to play. This teaches self-regulation.

Where Can You Find Tools to Help?

Keeping track of behavior can help you find patterns. Maybe a child always hits before lunch because they are hungry. A chart can help you see this.

ChildCareEd has #free resources you can print. You can find behavior logs and observation forms. These tools make you a behavior detective.

• ChildCareEd Free Resources

You can also read more about guiding behavior in our articles. We have many tips on how to handle tantrums and biting in a gentle way.

• Read More: Educational Articles

Are You Ready to Guide with Love?

Managing behavior is the hardest part of being a teacher. It takes patience. It takes practice. But when you use developmentally appropriate techniques, it gets easier.

Remember, children are not trying to be difficult. They are just trying to learn how the world works. When you guide them with kindness and clear rules, you help them grow into #happy, responsible people.

Start with one new strategy today. Maybe try giving more choices. Or try praising the good behavior more often. You will see a difference!

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