INDIRECT GUIDANCE
There are two kinds of guidance, direct and indirect (see Direct Guidance Skills). Indirect guidance is where outside factors can directly influence the behaviors of the children in your care. A big influence on children’s behavior is how you set up your childcare area. Most family childcare programs are held in the family home setting, some use a designated area such as a remodeled basement of garage. Whatever area you care for the children in can influence your behavior as well as the children.
A well-planned area will allow you to be more relaxed and in control. The children will feel safer knowing you are in control. Take a good look at your childcare area. Ask yourself:
• Can I observe all the children at the same time? A well-planned childcare area should allow you to observe all the children at the same time so that you can readily give help when a child needs it.
• Have I removed any hazards that a young toddler may trip and fall over?
• Are all shelves secured to the wall so they cannot fall over? This includes any furniture and heavy object of top of furniture.
For example: A heavy TV should not be sitting on top of furniture that could fall over and hurt a child.
• Examine the bathroom. Is the toilet easily accessible? Can the child reach the sink for hand washing?
• Does my environment encourage independent play? Have you set up areas around the room to encourage different activities?
For example: set up a corner near a bookshelf with a bean bag chair, where a child can sit quietly and look at a book. Set up an area to resemble a kitchen where children can play cooking, house, or restaurant.
• Is there a place for everything? This will help the children learn to clean up if there is a designated spot for everything. Putting a picture on each shelf or container makes clean up time easier for the children.
• Is there an area for the children to hang up their coats and store their back packs?
All these suggestions are indirect ways to guide children’s behavior. It helps you to be in control of your childcare, save you time and energy, and allow you more time to have meaningful activities with the children.
Resources
Working With Young Children, Judy Herr