5-Develop guidance strategies to meet individual needs

Any guidance strategy we create is based on the objective observations and

documentation of an individual child. I learned from chapter 5 of The power of
guidance teachers need to work continuously to make their programs responsive
to each child. Teachers are positive leaders in guidance. Guidance has positive
outcomes. A guidance strategy to meet individual needs is guidance talks. I learned
guidance talks from chapter 6 of The power of guidance. There are five simple
steps in teaching children problem solving skills. These are cool down the situations,
identify the problem, brainstorm a solutions, go for it, and follow-up. Conflict
management focuses on a parties working on a peaceful solution. Challenging
behavior takes a number of forms. Anything that stops a child from his or her
potential of learning could be defined as a challenging behavior. The first thing we
should look at when children have challenging behavior is the environment. When
children start to gain a better understanding of emotions, they become more
capable of emotional regulation. When children learn to cope with their emotions
constructively, they have a easier time with disappointments, aggravations, and
hurt feelings. Positive encouragement will help children understand that dealing
with their own anger or frustrations is appreciated. Challenging behaviors develop
over time in the context of relationships and environments. I learned from handout
1.4 Addressing challenging behavior in infants and toddlers that challenging
behaviors is the number one training need for teachers. This handout has taught me
strategies to address challenging behaviors. Handout 1.4 has taught me the
pyramid model to help support early care and educations. The pyramid model helps
teachers promote, prevent and intervene in challenging behaviors. The levels of the
pyramid starts with a bottom of effective workers. The next levels are nurturing and
responsive relationships, a high quality supportive environment, targets emotional
and social supports and then on top is intense interventions. Quality childcare and
educations depends on quality interactions with families and the child. I learned
eight effective strategies that will help support a childs social and emotional
development. They are;
1) Demonstrate a commitment to promote a childs social and emotional
development
2) Regularly recognize and acknowledge staff efforts and contributions
3) Staff should be involved in decision making
4) Articulate the program expectations and goals
5) Ensure all staff is accountable
6) Documentation will be used to make improvements
7) Recognize the challenges in changing a practice
8) Maintain enthusiasm, passion and devotion.
There is a reason behind every challenging behavior. When we observe and
document a childs behavior, we find out exactly what a child needs changed in

order for them to grow and prosper. Each child is unique and develops at their own
levels. We need to make sure we incorporate individualized approaches in our
curriculum and activity plans that are based on the Wisconsin Model Early Learning
Standards. Our approaches need to focus on a childs intellectual, physical, social,
and emotional development. This is accomplished with the help of the caregiver,
the family and the child. The guidance ladder is another strategy. I learned to
develop guidance strategies to meet individual needs. The steps of the guidance
ladder from top to bottom are;
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

Physical intervention
Natural/logical consequences
Active problem solving
Set limits
Give choices
Redirection/distraction
Reinforcements
Active listening
Ignore misbehavior

Behavior is learned through experience and can be changed through

reinforcements.