A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques

1. Chapter 1 • Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC

2. Traditional Washington STARS In order to pass this training, this is what you must do: Passing the OnlinE STARS Training 1. Read course materials provided in the videos 2. Sufficiently complete all chapter assignments 3. Participate in Student Forum Discussion Board Assignments 4. Submit an evaluation form with a valid STARS ID number

3. A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter Topics Understanding and guiding children's behavior requires knowledge of child growth and development. It also requires the ability to understand each child’s behavior. This is a constant process that never ends.

4. Developing Guidance Skills A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Toni sat in the corner looking at a library book. Slowly he ripped a page from the book. On the other side of the room, Amy knocked Sam’s block tower over. Then she sped to the art table and grabbed Julie’s play dough. At the same time, Kyle entered the room, greeted another child, and threw his coat on the floor. How will you, as a child care professional, guide each of these children?

5. A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Guiding children is a complex process. Understanding and guiding children's behavior requires knowledge of child growth and development. It also requires the ability to understand each child’s behavior. This is a constant process that never ends. As a child care professional, you will continually learn more about your role in guiding young children.

6. Goals of Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Guidance consists of direct and indirect actions used by an adult to help children develop appropriate behavior patterns. Effective guidance should maintain children’s self-esteem and produce a desired change in behavior. Self-control is the long-term goal of guidance. That is, the children should learn to direct their own behavior without outside control.

7. Goals of Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Another goal of guidance is to promote pro-social behaviors among the children. Pro-social behaviors are acts of kindness that benefit others. They are behaviors that demonstrate cooperation and helpfulness. The following are examples of pro-social behaviors: • Accepting others’ feelings • Verbally and physically comforting others • Helping others • Cooperating with others in play and cleanup time • Sharing toys and materials • Sharing affection • Showing concern

8. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Before we get started talking about guidance techniques, let’s look at common guidance styles.

9. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles • Children must do what adults want • Children cannot express how they feel or think • Rigid enforcement of rules • Punishment is imposed by adults • Threats and bribes used extensively • Learning takes place in an atmosphere of fear • Children may learn love is highly conditional • Children may learn what to think and may be easily manipulated • Use of sarcasm, ridicule and embarrassment to manipulate and control behavior Authoritarian

10. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Authoritarian Parenting (1) Authoritarian parents believe in holding their children to a very high level of achievement and status. The desire for discipline is often so paramount in this relationship that the relationship, itself, is devoid or low on love, affection and nurturing. This is not to say that an authoritarian parent does not love her child but the child often does not perceive the love as being unconditional. Many children of authoritarian parents equate success with love. Authoritarian

11. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Authoritarian Parenting (2) One of the problems with authoritarian parenting is that children, when in need of guidance and problem-solving assistance, naturally turn to someone they feel loved and accepted by. This is often not the authoritarian parent. So while these parents often hold such high standards out of a desire to create high-achieving and successful adults out of their children, they often miss out on real opportunities for guidance when the child needs it most. Authoritarian

12. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Authoritarian Parenting (3) Authoritarian parents often confuse punishment for discipline. Discipline occurs from within, punishment occurs externally. Children raised with authoritarian-style parents are often very good at obeying authority but seldom have a strong sense of inner discipline as this is not something that is encouraged in childhood by authoritarian parents. Likewise, the punishment style of authoritarian parents is often harsh and does not "match the crime", so to speak. Authoritarian

13. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Authoritarian Parenting (4) It isn't uncommon for parents to use spanking as a primary means of punishment in an authoritarian family. One problem is that spanking used primarily for discipline leaves no other effective tools in one's parenting tool belt. For parents who are desperate for control over their children, when spanking doesn't work (and often, it will not), the relationship turns abusive, either physically or emotionally or both. Authoritarian

14. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles • Children do whatever they want to • Children follow their own moods and desires • No recognizable structure, rules, or guidelines • Punishment and rewards are arbitrary and inconsistent • Mini-lectures and put-downs are typical tools • Second chances given often • Threats and bribes are common place • Learning takes place in an environment of chaos • Emotions rule behavior of adults and children • Children may learn that love is highly conditional • Children may be easily led by peer influence Permissive

15. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Permissive Parenting (1) Permissive parenting is known as the over-indulgent parenting style, in which parents fawn over their children but forget to teach them. It’s first important to be clear that permissive parents are not bad parents. They are loving and nurturing, enjoy doing things for their children and center their lives around them.  The problem is that in the midst of all the nurturing, they forget that teaching is also a vital part of parenting. Permissive parents want to be the ones to care for their children, so they fail to teach them to do things for themselves. Permissive

16. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Permissive Parenting (2) Permissive parents prefer to avoid confrontation, so they generally allow their children to do what they want rather than creating rules and expecting certain behaviors. These parents basically allow total self-regulation, often thinking that this is how their children will learn independence. This actually has the opposite effect though, and parents lose control completely. Permissive parenting calls for responding rather than demanding, but when children are not required to meet any expectations, they seldom develop maturity. Permissive

17. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Permissive Parenting (3) These children also lack self-discipline because they are never expected to stay within certain boundaries or meet certain expectations. They have no set expectations, and this leads to feelings of insecurity. These feelings lead children to act out, becoming demanding, and have difficulty in social situations. Another major issue with this parenting style is that because parents attempt to be friends with their children, the children do not know where to look for guidance. They don’t know who is in charge, no routines, and no idea what is expected of them, so they begin acting-out out of frustration and confusion. Permissive

18. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles • Children’s and adults’ opinions are respected • Adult understands age-appropriate expectations • Rules are simple and clearly stated • Consequences are logical, realistic and palatable • Motivates children to be all they can be • Lots of smiles, hugs and humor • Second opportunities are provided • Children conform to rules, but are allowed to make choices • The environment is flexible and conducive to creative, constructive and responsible activity • Learning takes place in atmosphere of acceptance and high expectation • Children learn to accept their own feelings and control their own behavior Respectful

19. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles RespectfulParenting (1) Respectful parenting is a balanced, child-centered approach, which is healthy for the children and for the entire family. Respectful parents recognize that children, like adults, have feelings and needs of their own, including the need to feel respect and some degree of control over their lives. The respectful parent realizes that children need boundaries and consequences (discipline) in order to feel safe and secure. Children also need guidance for choices they make in their lives in order to adapt successfully to the world and its demands on them as they continue to grow and develop. Respectful

20. Guidance Styles A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles RespectfulParenting (2) Respectful parenting involves viewing the child as a young human being who deserves respect, appreciation, consideration, time, and love. The parent sees the child as someone they can learn from, someone they can learn with, and someone they can teach things about life. The parenting decisions and actions are predicated on a basic belief that the parent and the child will give each other respect and understanding. The parent will set limits, but they'll be reasonable, negotiated when possible, and the parent will give a warning before they act on them. Respectful

21. Goals of Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles GUIDANCE= goal is education and redirecting PUNISHMENT = goal is hurting, shaming or intimidating children Children are not born with inner self-controls. These are learned behaviors gained through observing the important people in their lives. Children need to learn to manage their emotions and feelings in socially acceptable ways. You are an important role model for the children in your care.

22. Goals of Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Guidance is teaching a child what TO DO instead of focusing on what not to do. Because children learn from their everyday experiences, it is important that you respond to their behavior in respectful, developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe ways.

23. Preparing for Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles There are some general guidelines for developing effective guidance skills. One of the first steps toward effective guidance is observation of the children. Watch and note how individual children behave in certain situations. This will help you understand the children in your child care program. Ask yourself how you respond to each of the children in your program. Do you have any biases? Are you expecting certain behaviors from children based on culture, gender, personality, or appearance?

24. Preparing for Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles The stereotypes you hold my affect your perception of a child. For example, do you expect Cindy to be better behaved because both of her parents are doctors? Being honest about your own attitudes and how they may influence your interactions will allow you to be more objective. Another important guideline is to plan with other caregivers. Sharing observations, feelings, and suggestions will help you fully understand the children. One caregiver may be able to add to your observations. As a result, you will better understand why a child refuses to take part in art activities.

25. Preparing for Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Next, do not talk to other adults when you are leading the group of children, unless it is important. The children’s needs should always come first. Being alert to these needs requires your full attention. Make a practice of talking with other caregivers only if necessary. Save other comments for after program hours.

26. Preparing for Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Finally, sit with the children whenever possible. You will be closer to the children’s level. As a result, they will find it easier to approach you and gain your attention. Do not interrupt an activity unless you can add to knowledge or safety. Let the children begin interaction with you. Remember that to develop independence and self-confidence, never do for the children what they can do for themselves.

27. Preparing for Guidance A Basic Approach to Guidance Techniques Chapter 1 Guidance Styles Click here to launch Chapter 1 Assessment 2