I started school embedded learning this week (explanation of this in last blog). I am placed within a nursery school directly linked to a school. The majority of the children are of ethnic minority backgrounds and many speak English as an additional language. The bilingual teaching assistants are an essential part of the nursery as the teachers came to them for support with talking to children whom had none or little English language. On reflection this highlights the importance of bilingual support within a multicultural setting, as well as children in other settings that may be in the minority. Support must be sought to ensure that each child reaches their full potential.
This week was focused around behaviour management. Key behaviour management skills I observed and discussed with the teacher included positive reinforcement rather than focusing on negative behaviour, a star worker cushion used each day as a reward for something a child has done well (this gives them extra responsibilities throughout the day), thumbs up, yippee & smiles for good behaviour, thumbs down, boohoo and sad face for unwanted behaviour. Children were also encouraged to tidy up when music was played, highlighting the transitional routine to the young children. Individual behaviour plan's (IBP's) can be used to support children in managing their behaviour if needed. And lastly a pupil support mentor is embedded into the school to support pupils with behavioural needs. There are other strategies used throughout the school but I will keep my focus within the nursery.
The strategies I observed in practice worked very well, especially as all the children were new to the setting and needed consistent boundaries and guidance to aid settling in. One particular strategy I observed reinforces the importance of bilingual staff. A child had accidentally banged a door against another child's head and the teacher highlighted that although it was an accident she still needed to say sorry to make sure the child was ok. On her request the child did not fully understand what she was asked to do. The teacher sought bilingual support to explain to the child which resulted in the child apologising. Having dealt with this in a positive manner it was addressed and dealt with effectively.
To conclude I found their behaviour management strategies very positive which the children engaged well with, however keeping the focus on the positives needs to be at the forefront as it could be easy to slip into focusing on the negatives which may lead towards more unwanted behaviour. I will continue to observe these strategies throughtout my school embedded learning and I hope to compare the similarities and differences with my placements. I will also apply their strategies within my own practice to gain a broader insight into behaviour management within the classroom.
Be back soon,
Pam 😃
The strategies I observed in practice worked very well, especially as all the children were new to the setting and needed consistent boundaries and guidance to aid settling in. One particular strategy I observed reinforces the importance of bilingual staff. A child had accidentally banged a door against another child's head and the teacher highlighted that although it was an accident she still needed to say sorry to make sure the child was ok. On her request the child did not fully understand what she was asked to do. The teacher sought bilingual support to explain to the child which resulted in the child apologising. Having dealt with this in a positive manner it was addressed and dealt with effectively.
To conclude I found their behaviour management strategies very positive which the children engaged well with, however keeping the focus on the positives needs to be at the forefront as it could be easy to slip into focusing on the negatives which may lead towards more unwanted behaviour. I will continue to observe these strategies throughtout my school embedded learning and I hope to compare the similarities and differences with my placements. I will also apply their strategies within my own practice to gain a broader insight into behaviour management within the classroom.
Be back soon,
Pam 😃