Giving Positive Guidance

When a young child is confronted with something negative that he is incapable of understanding, he relates it to himself. In other words, he cannot separate from himself the negative feelings that arise in him. This is how he develops a negative self-image, and, if these feelings occur on a regular basis, the negative self-image can become permanent. The same, of course, is also true for positive experiences. When a child is young, positive experiences go deep and make him feel good about himself. Adults can achieve this by: 

• Helping the child go from negative actions to positive ones. For the very young child, the teacher uses distraction to achieve this. Distraction is easy when you know the child well. For the older children, the teachers can discuss with the children alternative ways of dealing with situations and guide the children to a positive direction and encourage that in the child.
• Providing a 'child-friendly' environment in school. The teacher puts the child's needs and interests first, and the child understands this. The teachers are all trained to respond to the child in a positive way. The objects and activities available for the child's use are safe and at her disposal. The child is never scolded, criticized or humiliated, but is encouraged always.
• Providing an encouraging environment at home for the child. An environment in which adults encourage the child and in which they are careful not to speak ill of others or argue in front of the child will create a deep sense of security in the child.
• Modelling good behaviour. The teacher is trained so that her words, actions and methods of conflict resolution are a positive model for the child. The child will learn to treat others the same way in which he is treated.

Click here for KPM teacher interviews on positive guidance.