The technical term is "relational aggression," and here's how it sounds in the classroom: "I won't be your friend if you don't give me that." This kind of social bullying may sound less harmful than, say, a child who throws blocks. However, such behavior is not only is hurtful to the recipient, but can predict future struggles.

According to an in-depth, downloadable article from NAEYC, 4 and 5 year-olds who demonstrate relational aggression are more likely to be rejected by their peers, to have more problems with depression and anxiety than other children, and to have more academic challenges. In particular, "children whose language skills are less developed than their peers' are more likely to use both physical and relational aggression."

How can a teacher help children find alternative ways to problem-solve and express themselves? The top priority, says NAEYC, is to look at your own behavior first. "Few, if any, preschool teachers would say that aggression is an acceptable way for children to solve their social problems. And yet research suggests that teachers often unintentionally reward relational aggression." One example is tattling. The article reminds us that "telling" on another child is frequently received positively by the adult in the classroom, an attitude that doesn't help children learn to resolve disputes themselves.

Click here to read more, including why making a rule that children have to play with everyone, all the time, doesn't work.

"Maybe it is refusing to finish a math problem, open that writing folder, or come to the rug, but at some point a child is going to tell you no" So writes teacher/author Kristi Mraz in the third of a series of blog posts on behavior management in the classroom.

Her recommendation: Take a deep breath and consider what the child's reason may be. Is he feeling burned out by the day's activities? Is she hiding fear that she can't do the work? Maybe the child is masking anxiety about a problem at home, such as fighting family members. "What if we start from the assumption that children know their own needs best?" asks Mraz.

She offers a five-step process to tackling work refusal--and, actually, most classroom issues. It includes gathering information by asking the child open-ended questions and offering a compromise. "We are not suggesting that children who refuse work not do any schoolwork, but to ask ourselves to assume that refusal comes from a place of self-knowledge, and that we can come to a mutually agreed-on solution." For example, could the child work at a different time or do something different and achieve the same goal?

Every child has to use the bathroom at some point, but children entering Pre-K may need some additional support--and don't even have to be toilet trained. In fact, according to the New York State Education Department, "Children who are not toilet trained cannot be excluded from either Pre-K or kindergarten enrollment."

Because they received so many questions related to this issue, the Office of Early Learning issued "Guidelines for Supporting Toilet Learning" in a 2016 memo. Most important: "Work with the family to establish vocabulary words and a routine that can be used consistently at both home and school." For the classroom, NYSED recommends consistent bathroom times in your daily schedule, along with allowing children to use the toilet on an as-needed basis. 

The guidelines also outline procedures for sanitation and child safety--for example, the use of potty chairs is not recommended because sanitary handling is difficult.

Also included: lists of books for adults and for children (Examples:  Diapers Are Not Forever, Everyone Poops). Read more.

We are pleased to announce that the following companies, organizations and colleges will be available for you at our November 6, 2018 full-day conference:

Adelphi University Baum & Beaulieu Becker's School Supplies Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. Cohen Children's Medical Center

Discount School Supplies Hofstra University Kaplan Early Learning LIU Post Molloy College NEFCU PM Pediatrics Scholastic, Inc.

SCOPE Education Services Soccer Shots St. Joseph's College TFCU Teaching Strategies YMCA of Long Island Bari Koral/Yogapalooza

 

Preschool Lead Teacher (3-to-5 year olds)

Stony Brook Child Care, SUNY Stony Brook

Apply online www.stonybrook.edu/jobs  (Req. #1802936)

Early Childhood Specialist--Bilingual

Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc., Garden City

Email resume to hr@childcarenassau.org

Full-Time Teacher Assistants

Full-Time Teacher Aides

Part-Time Teacher Assistants

Part-Time Teacher Aides

HASC, Woodmere

Email resume to pam.langdon@hasc.net or fax to 516-295-1180

• Your name
• Your position
• Your e-mail and phone number

• The name of your school and the town it's located in. You can include your web address, if you have one.
• A very brief description of the position or positions you want to fill. (For example: "Part-time Teacher Assistant" or "Full-time Pre-K Teacher."
• Information about how potential applicants should contact your for details or to apply. (For example: "Call Jane Smith at 631-xxx-xxxx" or "Send e-mail to jane.smith@schoolname.org")