Behavior Management Strategies in Early Childhood

Overview

This talk shares seven proven tips for managing behavior and building positive relationships in early childhood classrooms, based on 25+ years of experience with children ages 1–4.

Setting Boundaries & Expectations

• Clearly state a few simple, reachable rules.
• Be consistent and explain rules in ways kids understand.
• Offer safe alternatives when rules are broken (e.g., use a beanbag instead of a block for throwing).
• Stay calm and brief when addressing negative behavior.

Repetition & Consistency

• Repeat rules and expectations every day, especially during transitions.
• Consistent reminders help children remember routines.

Modeling Behavior

• Show kids how to act by playing and interacting with them.
• Teach sharing, turn-taking, and asking for things.
• Have extra copies of favorite toys to prevent fights.

Managing Conflict & Emotions

• Step in calmly during conflicts, acknowledge feelings, and guide kids to solutions.
• Sometimes let children try to solve small problems themselves.
• Stay calm—kids will copy your mood.
• Help children learn self-control.

Communication with Parents & Caregivers

• Work with parents to keep rules about sleep, eating, and routines the same at home and daycare.
• Consistency between home and daycare helps kids behave better.

Establishing Routine

• Keep routines for meals, sleep, and transitions predictable.
• Use warnings, timers, or bells to help kids know what’s next.
• Consistent routines lower stress and help kids feel secure.

Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

• Give kids words and tools to solve problems.
• Use “green” (good) and “red” (bad) choice cards to teach behavior.
• Read books about kindness and problem-solving.
• Encourage kids to think of solutions, using simple games like “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” for sharing.
• Use a “bucket filler” system to reward kindness and address negative acts.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Redirection: guiding a child to a better choice.
• Modeling: showing the right way to act.
• Self-Regulation: managing feelings and actions.
• Bucket Filler: a child who is kind.
• Bucket Dipper: a child who acts unkindly.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Try red and green choice cards during group time.
• Stick to a daily routine and give warnings before changes.
• Read “Have You Filled Your Bucket?” and “Teeth Are Not for Biting” with your class.
• Start a “bucket filler” system to encourage kindness.