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Art of Redirection
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Just today I was monitoring the block area and a few crafts/math activities happening at our lunch tables. I saw one of my friends was playing with the largest blocks swinging them around and attempting to knock down other large blocks in their tower behind another friend sitting on the floor playing. As soon as I could I called that friend over to do their math activity before they could hit another block and potentially hurt the friend on the floor. They agreed and when they came over to do the activity we talked about how playing with the blocks in that way was unsafe and a “red choice”. When they returned to the blocks they did not repeat the same behavior.
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Great job, Shelbi! Your timely redirection effectively prevented a potential conflict. Incorporating discussions about safe choices supports effective communication in young children. Well done!
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Re direction works very well when trying to stop a certain behavior. instead of kicking and screaming lets go see if we can find a truck i think i see onw over there.
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Great example, Natasha! Redirecting to a positive activity can effectively avoid behavioral issues. Using activities like finding a truck can teach effective communication and sharing.
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We live in Iowa, so there are several times throughout the winter when children can not go outside safely to play. They can become very physical. We added an entire portion of curriculum to our day, both in the morning and afternoon called Mighty Movers. This is additional time that is on top of the already scheduled outdoor/large motor play. It is a positive way for the children to do extra physical activity without just running around the room and possibily running into a friend, etc.
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I have a 2.5 year old sweet boy that comes in very sad every morning, saying he misses his mom and dad. I acknowledge his feeling this, and then redirect him to a role of responsibility where he can be a line leader or help a friend carry their backpack into the school, or hold the gate, etc… He loves helping and this usually helps him transfer his mindset to being more in charge of his situation instead of being a victim of it.
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More recently in my in-home daycare, I have two 3 year olds continually fighting over toys. If I can intervene quick enough, I have been talking them through the situation. To my surprise it has been working! Whoever has the toy at the moment will finish taking their turn, this child then has instructions to give the 2nd child an immediate turn just as soon as their done. I usually repeat the sequence of events that will happen twice making sure they understand it. I’ve now found that they are starting to use the language taught all on their own. Miracles do happen!
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Great job, Eileen! Your use of redirection and clear communication to teach turn-taking is impressive. Consistent reinforcement will help solidify these positive behaviors. Keep up the good work!
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I remember I used to have a child in my class who would always have a hard drop off’s but great days once he started playing.
I remember finding out that he loved one specific stuffed bear we had in the classroom. I started incorporating the bear in his greeting every morning during drop off and it started to turn into a game of hide and seek every morning. He soon started looking forward to coming to school to find the bear every morning. I used the bear as a way to redirect his attention every morning and it worked wonderfully.
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Great use of redirection with the stuffed bear to ease drop-off anxiety. Using creative and engaging methods like hide and seek can effectively teach effective communication and sharing.
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Once, during playtime with young children, I noticed a brewing conflict over a toy. Instead of intervening directly, I redirected their attention to a cooperative game, diffusing the situation. For teaching effective communication, I use role-playing, storytelling, role-modeling, and engaging activities to instill sharing behaviors gradually.
