[Jordan]

I think the guidance could be useful for determining acceptable ways to handle situations. It clearly states that you should never withhold food, talk kindly, and never restrain or lock in closets etc. I think this protects the child in case some caregivers believe any of these are acceptable behaviors.

[Christina Rachelle Fiant]

I think some people in the forum are confused by the question when talking about emergency or illness being when the policies would be useful. Given the module this is coming from talking about discipline/ challenging behavior and the question speaking specifically on written “guidance” policies, I believe it pertains to how we redirect or intervene in challenging behavior issues with children. There was an issue recently where I believe the written policies would be helpful to go over again, even if they actually may come up short on what to do in the situation. We had not just one this day, but 4 kids with behavioral issues running all around, hitting others sometimes, knocking items of shelves, a standing on the tables, and because we had just had a recent staff meeting about not taking them down off furniture, it was extremely difficult to know what to do. Two kids were telling other children to push teachers’ arms out of the way and don’t listen to them, you can do what you want, come into the kitchen and join them. It was extremely disturbing to the energy in the classroom, it either made the kids on the carpet with the lead teacher feel uncomfortable or consider getting up to join them, it felt chaotic and that we had lost control which means more unsafe behavior could happen. But the other floater and I just joining that day weren’t really sure what we could do besides just keep trying to talk to them from a distance since we couldn’t get them down, but they were loud and would yell or talk over us. This doesn’t happen in a lot of the classrooms to this extent, but in this pre-K classroom, it can get pretty bad sometimes. We felt we didn’t have the support we should, knowing things not to do, but not what we really could do. I do want to return to our policies again and see what I can find and use, but it also can highlight the need for improved or more specific policies sometimes, and for trainings specific to critical areas like this so everyone at the center can be on the same page and know exactly what the center allows and wants to do as a best means for dealing with such incidences. That way staff and parents can feel good and safe with what is happening with their children.

[Trainer]

Christina, your experience highlights the need for clear guidance policies and specific trainings for challenging behavior incidents.

[Bethany]

yes, emergencies, illnesses, and the like would be good to have written out guidelines for caregivers to know what will be done.

[Mackenzie]

yes in the event of an emergency, unexpected events, and illness

[Christina Fletcher]

Guidelines will be useful when you have a child that is angry, or abusive to others.
you will need to know how to approach this child and care for the needs he is expressing, and figure out what they are.
Seeing angry and unruly children take it out on kind children can anger an adult and guidelines help to contain yourself as the adult and react to the situation properly.

[Makina]

yes, if something unexpected were to happen or in case of emergency

[Trainer]

Great point, Makina! Having written policies is essential for handling unexpected situations and emergencies effectively.

[Mason]

Yes, in almost all scenarios a written policy is highly important. Especially in scenarios regarding illnesses or injuries.

[Hannah Okamoto]

Policies are most useful when in times of need such as an emergency like an earthquake, etc

[Vladyslav]

I think yes in the event of an emergency, unexpected events, and illness

[Tetiana]

yes in the event of an emergency, unexpected events, and illness

[Natalie Gurian-West]

Yes, in any sort of emergency or disaster situation, or if a teacher is unsure what to do when a child is having difficulties they can refer to the written guidance policies.

[Azucena C]

Yes they are very helpful in many ways when their is accidents or behavioral problems their can be useful information or strategies we can use to talk to children as well as the parents and redirect children from doing things that put themselves in danger and others .

[lesley]

yes when the sitituation is emergency or ilness etc

[Sarah]

Yes in case there is a safety issue and the rules need to be referenced.

[Erin]

Written policies for discipline are important as children come from
families that may have vastly different experiences with behavior
modification. Having written policies that outline appropriate and
effective disciplinary approaches gives us all a common understanding of
the expectations and responses to undesirable behavior.

[Trainer]

Erin, I agree. Consistent discipline policies can ensure a shared understanding across diverse family backgrounds.