Disciplining children in daycare can be tricky. Parents may be concerned about the type of discipline your giving the child in your daycare, and if their child is being treated fairly or being treated too harshly. As a child care provider you also don’t want to be too lax and you must maintain control of the children in the daycare as far as appropriate behavior is concerned. If you’re struggling with daycare discipline, read on.
We talked with speaker, author and Parenting Coach Edie Raether. Raether is an international speaker, behavioral psychology expert, parenting coach and a bestselling author of several books including Stop Bullying Now and I Believe I Can Fly!, an empowering character building program for children ages 3-9. Here is part 2 of the interview.
OwnADaycare: What is your opinion of using time outs in daycare?
Edie Raether: Regarding timeouts, I prefer and suggest having time-in. A child in a firm, but kind way is invited into an area where the child is asked to think about his behavior and together you come up with a simple plan to respond differently the next time a similar incident occurs. This teaches problem solving skills and empowers a child to explore his own consequences by making good decisions.
OwnADaycare: What are some common mistakes that daycare providers make when it comes to disciplining toddlers and what corrections can they make.
Edie Raether: Common mistakes daycare providers make is to lose their cool and react rather than be proactive. When losing control the children become more anxious and thus act out even more so. The daycare provider should establish an environment of “calm” at all times. Children do learn what they live. Rather than punish, teach discipline and natural consequences so all may learn.
OwnADaycare: What is the best way to help child care providers and parents get on the same page with regard to daycare discipline?
Edie Raether: It is important for daycare providers and parents to be on the same page. This is best accomplished with ongoing communications through reports, meetings, or even a brief conversation when a child is picked up by her parents. Obviously the parents are often the root cause of a child’s behavior which is learned at home. Some parents are in denial and easily become defensive. You must stay in alignment with the parent or parents by validating and acknowledging what they are saying. You don’t have to agree, but you do need to let them know you understand their concerns. As the daycare provider, never, never, never become defensive. Rather, you must develop that art of asking questions that make them more aware so they choose to change vs. comply to your demands.
OwnADaycare: Wonderful! Do you have any further comments, suggestions resources?
Edie Raether: You may check out the parent and bullying resources on my website Wings for Wishes.
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