School-age Child GuidanceTechnical Assistance Paper #1

Developing aChild Guidance Policy ForSchool-Age ChildCare

Page1of4TAChildGuidanceSchoolAgePaper120050701

Developing aChild Guidance Policy

Key components for a good policy:

Your Child Guidance Policy shouldincludethefollowing:

1)TheprohibitionsintheEEClicensingstandards:

  • Spankingorothercorporal punishment of children;
  • Subjecting children to cruel or severepunishment such as humiliation,verbal or physical abuse, neglect, orabusive treatment;
  • Depriving children of meals or snacks;
  • Force feeding children; and,
  • Disciplining a child for soiling, wetting,ornotusingthetoilet;orforcing a child to remain in soiled clothingorforcingachildto remain onthetoilet, or using any other unusual or excessivepracticesfortoileting.
  • Please also note that EECdoes not allow licensed child care programs touse discipline techniques that require the use ofanyphysicalrestraint.

2)Childguidancegoalsthathelpchildrento:

  • Be safe with themselves and with others;
  • Feel good about themselves;
  • Develop self-control andgoodcopingskills;
  • Appropriatelyexpresstheirfeelings;
  • Become more independent;
  • Balance their needsand wants with those of others;
  • Learn new problem-solving skills, including non-violent conflictresolution; and,
  • Learnaboutconservation–touseequipment,materials, and otherresourcesincaring,appropriateways.

3)Positive methods of child guidance that include:

  • A plan for appropriate behaviorthrough the environment by arrangingfurniture and other materials to encourage active learning andindependence;
  • A plan for daily scheduling that preventsboredom,waiting,hurriedness,with time to relax and enjoyactivities, aswell as adailyroutinewithample opportunity for children to selectactivities and move between themat their own pace, and thatgives children ample notice of transitionsaheadof time;
  • Providingchildrenwithexpectationsthat are clear, age-appropriate andappliedinaconsistent way.

Page2of4TAChildGuidanceSchoolAgePaper120050701

Developing aChild Guidance Policy

  • Allowing children to participate in theestablishment ofrules, policies andprocedureswhere appropriate andfeasible;
  • Reinforcing positive behavior by recognizingchildren’s positive actions;
  • Modelingappropriatebehaviorby what theadultssay,expect,anddo;
  • Redirecting children away fromnegativeactionsandtoward positiveactivities by interrupting a child’s negative behavior and steering the childtoward an acceptablesubstituteactivity;
  • Teaching children newskillsand encouraging them todiscussand resolvetheir conflicts on their own or with the adult’s assistance, when necessary,ratherthanimposinganadult’s solution on them. Encouraging children toexpresstheirfeelingsinwords and to resolve problems peacefully;
  • Ignoring simple, inappropriate, negative behavior that is unpleasant;
  • Workinginclosepartnershipwithparentsto address children’s difficultiesat home and at the program. Developing sharedunderstandingtofosterconsistencybetween home andchildcare;
  • Observing and recording children’s behaviors; and,
  • Accessingspecializedsupport servicesifachild’sbehaviorcontinuesto be harmful to himself or others. Referring the family, withwrittenparental permission, for mental healthcounselingorotherspecializedservices that can help address the child’s behavior problems.
  • Developingbehavioralandsafetyplansforchildrenthatrequire them.Ensuringthatprogramstaffisawareofallsafetyplans.
  • Training staff on what methods of appropriate interventions are allowed inthe program. Policies and proceduresshouldbedevelopedtosupportprogramstaffintheuseofanyapprovedinterventions.

4)Supportsthatareavailableto assist child guidance efforts:

  • Learnaboutandlistavailable community supports as an addendumtoyour child guidance policy; and,
  • Ensurethatprogramstaffreceivetraining on positive childguidance andmaking appropriate referrals for evaluation of children’s needs.

Page3of4TAChildGuidanceSchoolAgePaper120050701

Testthepolicy:

1.Does the policy support its goals? Does it maximize children’s growth anddevelopment?

2.Is the policy practical?Can staff incorporate thepolicyandproceduresintothedaily operations of the program?

3.Is the policyage-appropriateforall the childrenattendingtheprogram?

4.What training do program staff need to implement the policy and procedures?

5.Doesthepolicyidentifyappropriatecommunity resources for referrals? Checkwith your local department of special education, mental healthcenter,orastateagency that deals with services to families and childrenfor other sources ofhelp.

Page4of4TAChildGuidanceSchoolAgePaper120050701