Practical Strategies for Building Positive Relationships
Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL): Positive Relationships and Supportive Environments
NC Early Learning Network
With Children
- Greet every child by name upon arrival.
- Show children that you are happy they are there.
- Smile at children.
- Joke and laugh with children.
- Pay attention to each child.
- Learn and remember personal information about children and use this information in your conversations with them.
- Give one-on-one positive attention.
- Know what interests each child and talk to the child about that interest.
- Respect each child’s approach to situations and people.
- Don’t be afraid to be wrong and talk with children about it.
- Talk to the child seriously when the topic is serous or important to the child.
- Tell children what makes you feel happy and sad and ask them to respect your feelings.
- Ask children to tell you what makes them happy and sad and respect their feelings.
- Follow a child’s lead during play.
- Have a conversation over snack.
- Play a game with a child.
- Play outside with a child.
- Hold a child’s hand.
- Give hugs, pats, handshakes, and high fives.
- Find a few minutes and have an “I Love You” ritual with child.
- Call family to say what a great day child had in front of child.
- Acknowledge a child’s effort.
- Praise and encouragement.
- Give compliments liberally.
- Use a pleasant tone of voice.
- Share information about yourself and find something in common.
- Speak to children at their eye level.
- Listen to a child’s ideas and stories and be an appreciative audience.
- Ask children to bring in family photos and give opportunity to share.
- Show respect for children’s cultural, linguistic, and religious beliefs.
- Speak respectfully about children’s families.
- Make “All About Me” books and share at circle time.
- Display children’s work.
- Have a “star” of the week that brings in special things from home and gets to share during circle time.
- Have sharing days.
- Find out a child’s favorite book and read it to the whole class.
- Write all of the special things about a child on a T-shirt and let them wear it around.
- Ride the bus with a child.
- Go to an extracurricular activity with a child.
- Learn a child’s home language.
- Give hugs, high fives and thumbs-up for accomplishing tasks.
- Call a child after a bad day and say “I’m sorry we had a bad day today – I know tomorrow is going to be better!”
- Tell a child how much they were missed when they miss a day of school or write a note for their cubby when they return.
- Respond to children consistently.
- Spend time with children doing what they love to do.
- Give children genuine choices and assist them in following through with their choices.
- Listen to and respond appropriate to children’s questions.
- Show respect for children’s cultural, linguistic, and religious beliefs.
- Reframe negative thoughts and statements into positive ones.
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, 2006
Practical Strategies for Building Positive Relationships
Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL): Positive Relationships and Supportive Environments
NC DPI Exceptional ChildrenFebruary 5-6, 2013
With Families
- Send interest surveys to families to complete about their child.
- Make home visits.
- Build on family strengths.
- Send positive notes home.
- Send letters home written in child’s voice.
- Make positive phone calls to families.
- Call family to say what a great day child had in front of child.
- Share information about yourself and find something in common with the family.
- Greet families as they come into the room.
- Smile at families and make them feel welcome.
- Send newsletters that relate to expectations being taught.
- Collect stories from families and create newsletter to share.
- Listen to families’ ideas and be an appreciative audience.
- Learn a child’s home language.
- Use translators with non-English speaking families.
- Have notes and materials sent home translated into family’s language.
- Treat families with respect and empathy.
- Listen carefully to family’s concerns and help in addressing concerns.
- Provide written and pictorial information about child development.
- Have covered dish dinners for families.
- Encourage family nights with families planning the program.
- Have many opportunities for families to participate at home and center.
- Find out expectations families have of their children.
- Create a family welcome area.
- Show respect for families’ cultural, linguistic, and religious beliefs.
- Reframe negative thoughts and statements into positive ones.
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, 2006
Practical Strategies for Building Positive Relationships
Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL): Positive Relationships and Supportive Environments
NC DPI Exceptional ChildrenFebruary 5-6, 2013
With Colleagues and Other Professionals
- Share information about yourself and find something in common with colleagues.
- Have clear roles and equal responsibilities.
- Use effective communication.
- Listen openly.
- Make good eye contact.
- Show colleagues you are happy to see them.
- Utilize existing resources.
- Address disagreements outside the classroom.
- Problem solve together.
- Build trust.
- Encourage teamwork.
- Acknowledge accomplishments.
- Treat others as you want to be treated.
- Respect other’s ideas.
- Say “thank you.”
- Model positive social skills and interactions.
- Find ways to show appreciation.
- Respond in a positive manner consistently.
- Smile, laugh, and express joy.
- View other colleagues and professionals as supports.
- Have monthly potluck dinners.
- Show respect for colleagues cultural, linguistic, and religious beliefs.
- Reframe negative thoughts and statements into positive ones.
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, 2006
Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL): Positive Relationships and Supportive Environments
NC DPI Exceptional ChildrenFebruary 5-6, 2013