Children face many challenges throughout their lives including learning acceptable behaviours and being able to regulate their own behaviours in different social and emotional environments, or when interacting with their peers or adults.
Families and staff will use appropriate strategies to guide children to recognize, manage and learn from their behaviours and express their emotions in positive, non-threatening and productive ways.
As parents and staff, we aim to influence the child’s behaviour rather than to control it. There are helpful methods to help children develop problem-solving skills, a sense of freedom to choose their own path and the self-esteem necessary to change a pattern of unhelpful behaviour. Peach Blossom’s staff aim to provide an environment that supports children to learn self-regulation and manage their own behaviour.
Behaviour management
At Peach Blossom, we will work to ensure the safety and security of children at all times. Staff support children in their behavioural choices in a variety of ways, depending on their age and developmental level. Effective supervision by staff will serve to minimize negative behaviours, however, behaviours such as teasing, bullying, discrimination or physically hurting another child will not be tolerated.
Children are able and encouraged to participate in the development of the rules of behaviour and the consequences of breaking the rules of behaviour.
Through positive, supportive and intentional relationship building, staff will ensure that they provide education and care to children in a way that facilitated the following:
- Children are encouraged to express themselves and their opinions;
- Staff ensure children undertake experiences that develop self-reliance and self-esteem;
- The dignity and rights of each child being educated and cared;
- Each child is given positive guidance and encouragement toward acceptable behaviour;
Guidelines for behaviour management
- Observe and assess the environment and individual children to anticipate situations and prevent problems by structuring space, materials, schedule, cleanup and transitions.
- Understand and apply child development knowledge to set and consistently enforce realistic, developmentally appropriate, clear, consistent rules and limits for behaviour.
- Be direct and clear with children when explaining how you want them to behave. Lower yourself to the child's level when speaking to him or her.
- Listen to children's feelings and frustrations and respond quickly and calmly to situations that require guidance.
- Redirect inappropriate behaviour to a more acceptable activity.
- Be aware of your own feelings and accept your own humanness. Be a positive role model when dealing with others.
- Respect and value each child's unique feelings, developmental stage and background.
- Use preventative guidance by showing attention and affection to each child when they are not seeking it.
- Allow children the right to make mistakes and solve their own problems. Give them responsibility for the consequences of their behaviours.
- Allow only realistic choices.
- Challenge children physically so they can burn off excess energy.
- Total isolation in a closed, separate room for reason of punishment is prohibited.
No form of physical punishment, verbal or emotional abuse or denial of physical necessities of any child can be permitted, practiced or inflicted.
Bullying Management procedure
In the event of an incidence of bullying, or behaviours which place children or staff at risk, the following measures will be taken:
- Parents/guardians will be notified of the incident involving their child either by telephone or upon on arrival to pick up their child.
- Staff will at all times maintain confidentiality and will be sensitive during discussions that may be heard by others.
- Parents/guardians are asked to further discuss the situation with their child at home to reinforce the service rules and other children’s rights to feel safe and secure.
- Staff support children through an event and will encourage the child who has physically hurt another child to be involved in the first aid and caring for that person.
- In line with Peach Blossom policies, all injuries and incidents are recorded and the parents notified.
Where behavioural concerns remain ongoing, the following measures will be taken:
- A meeting will be arranged between the child, their parent/guardian, and the staff at which time a behaviour plan will be discussed and completed.
- The behaviour plan will continue for a period of two weeks. During this time parents (or listed emergency contact) would be expected to collect their child immediately if the behaviour continued and posed a risk to the safety of others at the program.
- All staff will be informed of the strategies of the behaviour plan and will support the child with strategies, positive guidance and reinforcement. Staff will document the child’s behaviour via the behaviour plan.
- Ongoing and unresolved negative behaviours, and a failure to comply with the behaviour plan, may lead to the suspension of care.