Chapter 4
Chapter 4. Issues in Early Childhood Behavior. Managing the Behavior of Young Children. Caregivers report behavior management is biggest challenge Appropriate social behaviors are positively correlated with academic performance
Chapter 4
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Chapter 4 Issues in Early Childhood Behavior
Managing the Behavior of Young Children • Caregivers report behavior management is biggest challenge • Appropriate social behaviors are positively correlated with academic performance • Best time to teach appropriate behaviors is when children are young
Early Development of Behavior Newborn & Infancy - behavior related to physical condition & environment • develops secure attachments & stranger anxiety 1-year-old – growth in language skills & begins to show interest in other children 2-year-old – awareness of basic behaviors & quick to learn limits
Risk Factors for Young Children • Poverty – greatest single predictor of academic & social performance • Persistent parental unemployment • Single-parent families – increasing • 1 in 5 single fathers now raising children • Child maltreatment – 3 million cases in 2004 in U.S. • Significant physical, behavioral, & psychological consequences
Risk Factors for Young Children • Babies born premature and/or dysmature (low birth weight) • 8.3% of live births • Fetal alcohol syndrome • Significant deficits in verbal fluency • Lead poisoning • Contributes to Developmental Delays & behavior difficulties
Effective Early Intervention • Need for early intervention • Opportunity to develop social skills • Variables associated with effective early intervention • Implemented in early elementary years • Low caregiver-to-child ratio • Parental involvement - center-based and home-based services
Positive Behavioral Supports • Establishing a caring and loving environment • Tell students you like them • Set aside individual time • Give children affection
Positive Behavioral Supports • Building self-esteem in young children • Allow & enable children to be competent • Tell children about the good things they do • Speak to children appropriately • Teach children that mistakes are normal • Allow children to have limited choices • Let children know you value their opinions
Setting Concerns for Young Children • Social density • Provide safe, quiet areas • Physical layout • Define space usage • Appropriate use of materials • Provide guidance and developmentally appropriate
Setting Concerns • Effective scheduling • Have routines & short time segments • Transitions • Provide cues prior to change • Staffing qualifications and ratios • Use trained professionals • Varied ratios – younger the child – lower the ratio (e.g. infants–1:3; 4 yr olds–1:8)
Caregiver-Parent Relationships • Role of professional caregivers • Facilitate positive and effective parent-child interactions • Significant gains from encouraging parental involvement • Train parents how to communicate, interact with, and manage behavior of their preschool children
Summary • Variety of risk factors • Early opportunities • Poverty • Environmental influences • Effective early intervention develops academic readiness & social skills • Teachers should work collaboratively with parents