- Be respectful of the children. Speak to them as you would to good
friends.
- Try to encourage a calm atmosphere. When you want to speak to a
child, walk to where she is and speak directly to her.
- Children learn from us as roll models. Don’t do anything you don’t
want to see them doing.
- Encourage independence in the children by helping them disengage
from the adults as the center focus.
- Encourage interdependence amongst the children. “Ask ____ to help.
She’s great at puzzles”. This boosts the helper’s self-esteem while
encouraging the asking child to pursue other avenues for assistance.
- Listen to the children's words as well as their behavior. “I need help”
often means “I want to be near you”. Acting out often means, “Pay
attention to me”.
- If a child calls to you from across the room, motion for him to come
closer and thank him for doing so.
- If children are loud and you want them to be quiet, ask them in a very
soft voice. Whispering can be very effective.
- If you don’t handle a situation as well as you would have liked,
apologize to the child. It is important that they see that we, too, make
mistakes.
- When a child complains, “she’s bothering me!”, help him to tell her
what he wants to say. Give him the language if necessary. Stand by
as an adult presence, not the all-powerful decision-maker.
- Limit words when speaking with a child. Too many words and
children get lost; they don't need lengthy explanations.
- Phrase requests in a positive manner. "Please sit on a chair" rather
than "Get off the table".
- Give words of thanks and encouragement when a child least expects
it - especially when a child is having a "bad" day.
- Speak quietly, directly, and at eye level to a child.
- Don't use words like "good" and "bad" as adjectives. More appropriate
are "cooperative" and uncooperative" or "helpful" and "unhelpful".
- Encourage children to describe how they feel: angry, frustrated,
proud, sad, happy, etc.
- Never discuss a child in a negative way in front of the children.
- Discuss children only with their own parents.
- Avoid lengthy conversations about your personal lives that exclude
the children. While you are working you are there for them.
- Don't ask questions unless you are prepared to give a choice. Say
"Please pick up the blocks" rather than "Do you want to pick up the
blocks?"
- If you are having difficulty with a particular child, step back and allow
the teacher deal with the child for a while. Sometimes a change in
energy will change the situation.
- Invite but don't force participation.
- Praise the effort, not the end product.
- Don't do for the children what they can do for themselves.
- Be Sincere.
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