Behavior Expectations

Children love to test limits. At Lakeside, when we see a child learning their limits in the classroom we implement the following steps to set limits.

Example Behavior: A child is climbing on the tables

1. Acknowledge the child's feelings and wishes.

Teacher response "You feel like climbing today."

2. Clearly state the limit.

Teacher response "We use our tables for our work and for eating. Tables are not for climbing."

3. Say what behavior is acceptable.

Teacher response "You can climb up to the loft or stand on the stepping stones. Which one would you like to do?"

4. Offer a final choice.

Teacher response "If you continue to climb on the table, you will have to leave this area and play in one without tables. It's your choice."

Consistency is the key to improving behavior. Try these steps when addressing your child's behavior at home. 

Kids from ages 1-5 are little people with big emotions. At Lakeside Childcare, our goal is to create a safe and fun environment where children are able to feel their feelings and taught how they can manage their big emotions.

When children are having big emotions it can lead to actions that can be harmful to themselves or others.

These actions can include: 

1. Physical Aggression 

2. Biting

3. Temper Tantrums 

4. Bullying 

These behaviors require additional teacher intervention in addition to setting limits. To keep all children safe, a teacher may hold a child's arms or legs firmly until they stop hitting or kicking. While the child calms down the teacher may ask questions to learn what caused the behavior and reassure them that they want to understand what they are feeling while working together to find a better way to handle their feelings.