redirection & discipline

It is important to remember that aggressive feelings in young children are a normal part of the developmental process of growing up. Each teacher has a goal to develop self-control over those aggressive feelings while still helping to build positive self-esteem. Most children’s aggressive tendencies at the Preschool can be controlled by various techniques. Teachers are trained to be alert to potential areas of frustration both in the classroom and outdoors. When possible, teachers intervene before physical disruption takes place. The staff will provide an abundance of activities so each child can find an area in which to participate.

However, excessive biting, scratching, kicking and hitting behaviors can jeopardize the safety of other children. Title 22 state licensing requirement 101223 states: “each child shall have personal rights which include, but are not limited to, the following….to be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations.”

Therefore, if aggressive behavior becomes excessive, Bel Air Presbyterian Preschool will implement an individualized behavior plan that will include some or all of the following:

• Discussion with parents regarding the inappropriate behavior, redirection that has been effective at home and agreed upon procedures for when at school.
• Continued occurrences may constitute and necessitate picking your child up from school immediately following an incident. Also, we may request that the child stay home the following day.
• We will most likely request that professional intervention is acquired and financed by the parent, appropriate goals are set and appropriate intervention is implemented (shadow teachers, extra help in the classroom, etc…). This process must include Preschool staff.
• If the behavior pattern is still not changing, we may ask that you keep your child home for one week in an attempt to break the pattern of behavior.
• If, however, after efforts between home, school and professionals are exhausted and the pattern of aggressive behavior continues, we will require that you withdraw your child from Preschool.

We strive to provide the least restrictive environment possible for all children and, in our efforts to achieve this, the above individualized plan is an important measure in providing a safe and healthy environment for your child, the other children at the Preschool and/or our staff. In accordance with each child’s personal, rights corporal or unusual punishment will never be administered by staff. We recognize that to a certain extent, parents have the right to appropriately and respectfully discipline their children according to their personal parenting philosophies. However, parents or authorized representatives are not permitted to spank or strike their children on school grounds. Your cooperation is appreciated.