The Wonder Years understands that children flourish when their personal, social and emotional needs are met and this occurs where there are clear and developmentally appropriate boundaries and expectations for their behaviour.
Children need to learn to consider the views and feelings, needs and rights, of others and the impact that their behaviour has on people, places and objects. This is a developmental task that requires support, encouragement, teaching and setting the correct example. The principles that underpin how we achieve positive and considerate behaviour exist within the programme for promoting personal, social and emotional development.
Strategies for encouraging positive behaviour:
The Wonder Years is committed to promoting our vision that all children are Empowered, Respectful, Achieving, Valued, and Part of our community. This should always be encouraged by staff, and as much as possible within peer to peer relationships. This is done by: staff forming positive relationships with children; setting clear boundaries and expectations; encouraging children to be respectful of each other and using good manners; practicing conflict resolution; talking about feelings; positive role modelling; rewarding and praising positive behaviour and kindness; encouraging cooperation and problem solving; giving age appropriate responsibilities; hearing the child’s voice.
We understand that children display a wide range of behaviour which can vary depending on age and background. It also may take time for a child to understand the expectations we have in the setting. However, it is important to recognise that some behaviour may inhibit our vision from being achieved, and as such we may need to encourage a change in a child’s behaviour. To do this we will use low key interventions such as:
When communicating with children, staff should always be aware of their communication- speech, body language, tone, presence, gesture, etc, and act in a kind and compassionate manner. Communication should be adapted to be appropriate to the unique child taking into account their age/stage of development and personal background. It will always be made clear to the child, that it is the behaviour and not the child that is unwelcome. All employees of The Wonder Years will make themselves aware of, and respect, a range of cultural expectations regarding interactions between people. Any behaviour issues will be handled in an appropriate fashion, respecting the individual child’s level of understanding and maturity. A consistent approach by all team members will produce the best possible outcomes for the children attending.
Recurring behavioural issues will be addressed using a whole setting approach, in partnership with the child’s parents, using objective observation records to establish an understanding of the cause of the child’s behaviour. It may also be appropriate to liaise with other professionals involved with the child, such as the child’s GP. If specific areas have been identified, for example if patterns of behaviour are repetitive, appropriate plans should be implemented. This should be done working together in partnership with the child’s parents/carers and other settings the child attends, where appropriate. This will enable a consistent approach for the child and produce more positive outcomes. An example of this could be a “First and Then’ chart which details support strategies written and agreed with parents to be used by the setting.
Physical Intervention
Only in emergency circumstances, to prevent personal injury or serious damage to property, physical intervention by an adult may be required. This is only to be used as a last resort after previous strategies have been found to be ineffective. In any case that physical intervention is used, it should be used in the least restrictive way possible, recorded effectively and the child’s parents informed.
Punishment
The Wonder Years policy regarding the use of punishment is vigorously maintained, in that: Corporal punishment, such as smacking or shaking or the threat of physical punishment is strictly forbidden. Techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children such as a ‘naughty chair’ will not be used. Staff will not shout, or raise their voice in a threatening or intimidating manner.