Child Guidance
Self-regulation and social problem solving, practiced together.
Laurelwood encourages self-regulation and social problem solving among peers at every age. By practicing these skills, children learn positive interaction, appropriate communication, empathy, and an understanding of others’ perspectives.
Our general approach
- Notice and encourage.Children receive appropriate verbal praise that helps develop intrinsic satisfaction.
- Make room to calm down.Instead of “time-outs,” a child is encouraged to move away from an aggravating situation until they have calmed down.
- Respect children's solutions.Children work toward solutions they can agree on and see themselves as competent problem solvers.
- Respond to each child.The Director works with teachers, the child, and parents to create a plan for specific circumstances when needed.
For two-year-olds
Teachers encourage cooperation, independence, and respect for self and others while recognizing developmental limits. Guidance generally uses redirection and separation, along with consistent schedules and appropriate activities that reduce frustration. Strong feelings are acknowledged and children are encouraged to work out solutions together.
For children three to five years old
Occasional difficulties with self-control and conflict resolution are opportunities to practice developing social skills. When children are verbally, emotionally, or physically hurtful, teachers calmly stop hurtful actions, acknowledge feelings, gather information, restate the problem, ask children to choose a solution together, and offer follow-up support.
