Managing behavior in the early childhood classroom

Managing behavior in the early childhood classroom

by Deborah Stewart, M.Ed.

Managing behavior in the early childhood classroom can get the best of us at times. It can steal our joy, make us lose sleep at night, and leave us feeling powerless.

Throughout my 30 years of teaching, I’ve had moments that I’m incredibly proud of and moments that I wish I could go back and do all over again. Not that I did anything terrible but moments that I wish I would have responded better or differently.As a young teacher, I remember listening to speakers talk about managing behavior. Mostly, I heard them say things like; “No yelling, no grabbing or pulling, no bribing with stickers or treats, no intimidating looks, no sending a child to the office, no having a child miss two minutes of recess, no telling a child that you would call his mommy, and no time out.”

I knew that there had to be a way to keep my students on track and have a joyful classroom.

You know, I really didn’t have a problem with all the things we couldn’t or shouldn’t do. In fact, I wouldn’t do most of them even if we could. But being told that I couldn’t manage behavior through measures such as these made me realize that I could either “get busy living or get busy dying.” That’s a quote from a movie but it sums up the gravity of what it is like to feel powerless but deciding you didn’t have to stay stuck in a powerless mindset.I knew that there had to be a way to keep my students on track and have a joyful classroom. It was time for me to get more creative, be more innovative, and think smarter. I wanted to love teaching and I wanted my students to love learning.

Behavior problems can steal your joy but there are solutions.

Behavior problems can steal your joy but there are solutions. In fact, the most valuable solutions come in ways you can easily overlook or might least suspect.Instead of getting derailed by what I shouldn’t do, I began focusing on building new skills and strategies that transformed the way I managed my classroom and that brought joy to the children and my teaching experience.

I was not and I am not powerless – and neither are you. The solutions have always been within me and they are within you too.

Click the link above to hear an inspiring message from Deborah.

Challenges in the classroom

Solutions within you

The Solution Within You!

I’m presenting an informative  and FREE presentation on finding the solutions within you. This is a 3-part series where I will break down some common problems in the classroom and show you how to find the solutions that create engagement and confidence in your children. Click the button below to visit the presentation page.

Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed.

Deborah Stewart, M.Ed.

Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed.

Deborah Stewart, M.Ed.

The Solution Within You!

I’m presenting an informative  and FREE presentation on finding the solutions within you. This is a 3-part series where I will break down some common problems in the classroom and show you how to find the solutions that create engagement and confidence in your children. Click the button below to visit the presentation page.

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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