Secret Confessions of a Long-Term Child-Care Provider #2

Dear People,

Today, I'm writing about guidance and the huge difference between what happens in a high quality child care program and what happens in a mediocre or low quality program, especially when it comes to caring for infants and toddlers. I believe that everyone needs to know about this.

All of the stories below are true to the best of the author's knowledge. Details have been changed for anonymity.

Many mediocre and low quality programs use consequences for behaviors that are not acceptable. High quality programs use problem-solving. Problem-solving takes a lot longer to implement but has better outcomes in the long run. Wouldn't you rather our children learn to solve their own problems rather than waiting for them to be solved by someone else? High quality programs may also occasionally use natural and logical consequences when necessary but rely on good-natured control most of the time.

The Bad

The following story happened in a state licensed facility.

Jorge was a quiet and very active 4-year old. I was told that he didn't speak much but that was OK because he was bi-lingual and he understood everything we said in English. It seemed like Jorge was always in trouble. He didn't like circle times and he often left his room without permission. The way the teachers dealt with him was to give him a time-out every time he misbehaved. He usually had to sit on a chair for about 5 minutes or so depending on how bad his behavior was.

The problem was that the chair was in the closet. And the teachers sometimes closed the door. One time ........

read the rest

Use your knowledge to support the high quality early childhood professionals that exist now before they go away!

Thank you.