Resources for Parents Archive

University of Maine Early Childhood Resources

Click on the Tipsheet titles listed below to open an accessible web page. Please be sure to check out the Selected Resources link for each Tipsheet. If you would like to suggest a resource for a Selected Resources page, please e-mail the resource information to ccidsmail@umit.maine.edu.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with teachers administrators education early childhood special education early childhood development on January 14, 2010 #

Behavior Communicates

It is the job of all early childhood educators to understand what behavior means. When a child behaves in a way that indicates a need for extra help and support, ask the question, “What is really going on here?” Be a detective to discover possible messages in the child’s behavior. Is the child in question really saying…I have a need that isn’t being met. *I feel hungry, tired or ill. *I need help learning how to interact with others and develop relationships. I’m lonely. I want attention. *I’m bored or overwhelmed. *I feel sad, scared, anxious, or angry. *I want… I don’t know how to do it. *The activity is too hard for me. I’m frustrated! *I don’t understand the directions. I’m confused! I feel uncomfortable. *The room is too noisy and crowded and the lights are too bright. *It’s hard for me to sit still at circle time.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with behavior guidance mental health PBS on January 14, 2010 #

OUCH! That Hurts! Biting

Children bite for a variety of reasons. For some children, biting may be related to their stage of development. Biting can be very common, for example, at the toddler stage of development. When young children lack skills and strategies to communicate their feelings and needs effectively, they may feel overwhelmed. Biting then becomes a child’s way of expressing frustration.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with biting development on January 14, 2010 #

Shocking Language in Young Children

When children swear, it is important to understand the hidden meanings behind those troubling words. Young children usually do not know what the swear words mean, so what is the swearing behavior communicating? Is a child saying… * “I am angry!” * “This word makes people pay attention!” * “I want be like my favorite movie star!” * “I need a friend!”

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with swearing swear words cursing cussing development on January 14, 2010 #

Early Literacy

Early literacy is one term used to describe the stage of literacy development occurring before children are able to read and write. From infancy, children begin to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that influence lifelong reading and writing behaviors. These early literacy experiences help children discover the purposes of, and relationships between, speech and print.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with literacy early literacy reading writing on January 14, 2010 #

Social Emotional Development

Social-emotional development involves the ability to form close, secure relationships and to experience, regulate, and express emotions. Social-emotional growth is affected by a variety of factors, such as an individual’s unique biology and temperament, as well as life experiences. * “Social” refers to how individuals interact with others. * “Emotional” refers to how individuals feel about themselves, others, and the world.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with social/emotional social development mental health development on January 14, 2010 #

Guidance

As young children grow, they are learning how to develop relationships with others and to be members of a community. All children need support to learn and achieve these important life skills. The process adults use to teach and support this learning is known as guidance. Effective guidance assumes the following conditions: * Respect, understanding, and appreciation for every child’s unique qualities. * Knowledge that childrens mistaken behaviors provide learning opportunities. * An encouraging community where every child belongs and feels safe. * A developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive setting.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with guidance discipline behavior mental health on January 14, 2010 #

Daily Transitions

Young children experience many changes during their day. Daily transitions in early care and education programs take place during an activity, or when children move from one activity to another or one location to another. Transitions include: * Arriving at or departing from a program. * Exchanging toys, entering or leaving a play area during free choice time. * Cleaning up after morning activities and starting a group circle time. * Getting dressed to go outside to play. * Shifting from playing with friends to working with a teacher/therapist on a particular skill.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with transitions mental health on January 14, 2010 #

Why Do Children Behave Aggressively?

Aggressive behavior—hitting, pinching, biting, and other acts through which children may hurt themselves or others—is a way children communicate by using their bodies. Children behave aggressively for a variety of reasons. Children may hit because they feel angry and frustrated. They may kick because they are still learning how to cooperate, share, and understand another person’s viewpoint. Children may throw toys when the environment is too noisy, chaotic, and busy.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with aggression behavior mental health social development on January 14, 2010 #