In her article that’s part of the Exchange Essentials article collection, “
Children with Challenging Behavior," Mary Louise Hemmeter offers the following philosophy statements:
- Children are in the process of learning acceptable behavior.
- An effective guidance approach is preventative because it respects feelings while addressing behavior.
- Adults seek to understand reasons for children's behavior.
- A supportive relationship between an adult and a child is the most critical component of effective guidance.
- Adults use forms of guidance and group management that help children learn self-control and responsiveness to the needs of others.
- Adults model appropriate expressions of their feelings.
- Adults make needed adjustments to a child's environment or schedule to meet his or her needs.
