Ways to encourage positive behaviour in preschool children?

Question

Ways to encourage positive behaviour in preschool children?

Answer 1

Well you can make a chart for each person and everytime they follow the rules you can put a sticker on their chart and for a certain amount of stickers you can give them a reward like a piece of candy, a little toy, etc. Or you can just let them pick one thing out of a basket full of stuff like little toys, candy, pencils, erasers, etc.

Answer 2

Positive reinforcement, always praise the good behaviour and as far as possible ignore unacceptable behaviour unless it is a danger to the child or their peers.

Ensure the staff speak to the children correctly and show good examples.

If the children need guidance on their behaviour ensure this is done calmly and quietly ensuring the adult makes the child understand that it is the behaviour which is unacceptable and not the child.

Answer 3

offer them rewards for good behavior. like candy

or you could get a jar and when they behave good add mables and if bad take marbles. when you fill it they win a prize as a field trip or something fun

Answer 4

I agree whole-heartedly with the suggestion of setting a good example with your kind actions.  Also, I agree that point-based systems are confusing and can be stressful for a preschooler.

I'd like to add that engaging each child in age-appropriate activities is key.  There has to be a positive outlet for the children's energy--movement games that don't include aggression.  Balance that with more quiet activities so they don't over-tire and get cranky.  Songs and stories that spark smiles and imagination will hold the young audience captive.  Putting them in front of a TV doesn't count for this one!  Gentle redirection in response to children not participating is better than punishment (yelling or deducting "points") since that will often escalate the child's frustration.

Answer 5

1) Praise and positive reinforcement-doesnt need to be a reward just saying nice things will help them! If they are only being good for a prize whats the use in that?

2) Consistency: Chidlren need to know their boundaries and consequences-if these are always changing they wont learn!

3) Policies: so parents and visitors are aware of what is expected of the children and themselves when in the setting. If parents tell child one thing and staff another it can get confusing!

4) In slightly older preschoolers you can have helpers, this encourages children to work together, be friendly etc. And helps them feel important!

5) Whenver possible and safe ignore the bad behaviour-or rather dont react too much. They'll learn they dnt get attention for being negative. Remember to praise anything positive!

6) Visual rule board for chidlren to see the rules and have somewhere to refer to.

7) A well planned curriulum to ensure children are not bored, things arent too difficult, enough toys and resources that are open and appropriate, etc.

Answer 6

First of all, here's what you  DON'T  want to do:

       1.   A complicated system for keeping track of behaviors

       2.  Candy, sweets, any food for rewards

       3.  A point system -- the children are just learning to count

Social reinforcement is the best, because:

        1. It's easy to do

        2.  Young children respond favorably to it

By social reinforcement, I mean :

        Saying "Thank you for . . . ."

        Saying "I like the way John and Mary are . . . ."

        Saying "Good job, Michael."

        A pat on the back

        A thumbs-up

        A big smile

You want to be careful about giving tangible rewards, such as stickers, etc., because you really want the children to learn to manage their behavior because it's the right thing to do.  You don't want them to show you a certain behavior  BECAUSE OF  the reward that is anticipated.  Also, you're not going to be able to "catch" every instance of good behavior (or every minor infraction) and you don't want a child to think you are being inconsistent or unfair.

Answer 7

Praise, give lots of attention to those using good behavior, Talk about behavior issues at circletime using puppets- Model problems, have children solve problems.

Answer 8

I have used a puppet (circle time) and character building books (story time) along  with weekly character traits.  Students nominate other students for positive character traits when they see them make wise choices.  It turns behavior to the positive...ignoring the negative.  Students look for other students being good decision makers.  It is a peer review technique.

If at any time I need to intervene, I ask (not accusing) "Would Good Character Cat (the puppet) make that choice?" (evaluating self-choice)  then I might ask, "What choice would Good Character Cat make?"  (again, no-threatening but allows him to choose another and acceptable behavior ) then I would end with something like, "If you had to do it all over again, would you make a wise choice like Good Character Cat?" (give chance to correct the behavior).  All the while keeping a calm voice and at eye level with the child.

Answer 9

give stickers, praise good behaviour, be a good role model.

Answer 10

Start a star chart for all of them.....playing nicely, using indoor voice, etc ( have pictures or symbols they can learn on the chart).  Get an egg timer and set it for every 15 minutes!!  When it goes off you have the kids do a "freeze!" or get totally quiet and review each child's behavior...put stars by their names if goal met.  Each hour those with 4 stars get a treat like holding a favorite stuffed animal for the day or something simple......you really have to get prepared for this system.  

Cut up fruit rolls into fun sizes and offer one....

Write their names on a white board with a smiley, let them choose the color they want....

I don't know.....worth a try!

Answer 11

Praise good behaviour, use stickers, treats, allow extra play time, or even have a points system whereby the winners get an extra treat or something.