Health Capsule: Support Positive Behavior in Young Children

Good health includes social, emotional, and behavioral wellness. Use approaches to support positive behavior in young children. This will encourage wellness for all children in your care. Teach children appropriate ways to manage their own behavior. The goal is to teach and guide children, not to punish. Strategies include using clear rules and supportive language. Offering alternatives to undesirable behavior and natural consequences are excellent options.

Common challenging behaviors in child care can include biting, defiance, and tantrums. Some behaviors persist and raise concerns. The child may not respond to appropriate positive interventions. Persistent difficult behaviors may include excess anger, aggression, and social withdrawal. What steps should be taken?

1. Discuss the issues with parents…early!
2. Contact ECELS if you have questions about a child’s behavior 800/243-2357 or [email protected]
3. Document observations; use the ECELS Behavioral Data Collection Sheet.
4. Include the child’s health care provider. Primary care providers should evaluate all children with persistent behavior problems. Encourage the parents to bring the Behavioral Data Collection Sheet.
5. Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (ECMHCs) are available through the PA Keys.
6. Avoid expulsion. Expulsion can prevent children from receiving the help they need.
7. Create a policy. Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th edition contains the Special Care Plan for a Child with Behavioral Concerns (pp. 140-141). This is a fill in the blank policy for positive behavior management.

Implement ways to support positive behavior in your work with children. Online resources include:

• ECELS - Managing Challenging Behaviors Webinar
• ECELS - Behavior: Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children Self-Learning Module
• Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) PA Positive Behavioral Support for Early Childhood 
• Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA)  Social Emotional Resources for Early Learning Programs  
• Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)  research and evidence-based practices promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5

Review best practice standards from Caring for Our Children, 3rd edition:

• 1.6.0.3 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants

• 2.2.0.6 Discipline Measures
• 2.2.0.7 Handling Physical Aggression, Biting, and Hitting
• 2.2.0.8 Preventing Expulsions, Suspensions, and Other Limitations in Service
• 9.2.1.6 Written Discipline Policies

Director Roundtable - 12/20/16 at Park City in Lancaster at 12 - with Jenn

Director Discussion - 1/11/17 at Panera Bread on Carlisle Rd. in York at 2:00 - with Carrie

STAR 1 for Spanish Speaking Providers - 1/14/17 at Luthercare Lebanon at 10 - with Jen D. - tentative 

Director Roundtable - 1/19/17 at Carlisle United Way at 12:30 - with Christina 

Art for Infants & Toddlers - designed for Directors to learn what types of art activities should be happening in your Infant/Toddler classrooms. PD Hours will be provided. 1/24/17 at Lebanon YMCA at 1 - with Corrie               1/26/17 at Lancaster Penn State Coop at 12:30 - with Jenn 

RSVP to Stephanie at [email protected] 

LICC/Lycoming Provider Meeting - 1/19/17 River Valley YMCA in Williamsport at 11. RSVP to Angela Mamrak at [email protected]. 

Baby Talk Newsletter                                                  

The December edition is now available. Topics include Face Time, Safe Sleep, videos, and more.  

Updated Infant Safe-Sleep Guidelines
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment, published in the October issue of Pediatrics. AAP encourages a safe-sleep environment that can reduce the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths. The updated recommendations also include the role of child care providers in endorsing and modeling the SIDS risk-reduction recommendations.