Connecting Before Correcting
Julie Fisher: So, while you're waiting for services to start, and if it's early intervention or even school district – it's not too long, hopefully – but make a plan to support this child's needs.
Relationships are key. So, we talk about connecting before correcting. Does this child feel safe? Does he or she trust you? These are things to think about and how those might be affecting the behaviors. Consider the environment. Is it overstimulating? We talked about transitions a little bit. How are those being done? Is there a primary person that this child really connects with, and can you promote that relationship? And, you know, "Ms. Suzie's going to be here in an hour. She's been asking how you're doing." Something to just kind of help with their sense of belonging.
Basic needs – Enrica mentioned this, too. Is there enough food at home? Do they have a home? Are there community services to help this family that you can start engaging before the interventions start? Sensory needs – large muscle movement is really regulating. So, is there more jumping that can happen in the classroom? Is there more swinging that can happen?
Thinking about that, adding more of that into the child's day. Simply communicating. So, when you're dysregulated – this is kids, this is us, this anybody – you can't process big words or long sentences. Your brain's not working like that, so you consider using pictures and playing, singing, or music. I'm sure the Barney Clean-Up song, things like that, are easier than talking to kids in big sentences.
And then, have – have some tools in your back pocket. So, there's a lot of mindfulness activities now for kids, things like breathing and yoga and progressive muscle relaxation. A lot of those are findable online or in books. There's also online the "Circle of Security," which is a really great way of looking at attachment in kids. They have some videos for free online that are good for you to watch, maybe families, and show them to families. There are books. Dr. Daniel Siegel is someone I recommend. He has "Parenting from the Inside Out," which is good for parents and for providers.
In this round table discussion, we hear some strategies that educators can use until, and even after, services begin. This video is part of the Positive Behavior Support module, one of several EarlyEdU Alliance Higher Education Learning Modules.
