Monroe’s Nursery briefing on

Proactive Behaviours

At Monroe’s Nursery we have a strict policy on Proactive Behaviour.

Proactive behaviour means acting in advance of a future situation, rather than just reacting.

It can also mean taking control and making things happen rather than just adjusting to a situation or waiting for something to happen.

How Monroe’s develop Proactive & Preventative Interventions in the nursery

Proactive Interventions:

Is when you……

1.Defined the behaviour

2.Identify factors related to the behaviour

*When and where the behaviour occurs

*The child the behaviour occurs with

*Activities and times related to the behaviour

3.Identify the functions/outcomes for the behaviour.

To develop an intervention…………..……. ask yourself

What can I do to change the behaviour?

How can I modify or change the factors that contribute to the behaviour?

What can I teach the child to use as a replacement behaviour that addresses the same purpose or outcome?

How will I teach replacement behaviour to the child?

How can I make sure that I am NOT reinforcing the outcome of the challenging behaviour?

How can I reinforce the replacement behaviour so that it matches the function of challenging behaviour?

As an Example:

If the teacher and the child is in the classroom and the child is asked by his teacher to sit at the table to do a puzzle, he then refuses and reverts to his usual behaviour by throwing himself on the floor kicking & screaming.

The teacher then leaves the child on the floor where he proceeds to kick and scream, she then brings the puzzle over and sits down beside him and starts to play with the puzzle to try and gain the child’s attention. After several minutes child begins to calm down and moves closer to the puzzle. His teacher continues to play with the puzzle and once she is sure that he is comfortable she begins to move it closer to the table while Josh follows.

In this situation this technique could take some time depending on the child’s behaviour. Also you need to be sensitive and understanding of the child’s needs and behaviours.

To help understand why challenging behaviour’s happen and

what purpose they serve.

Focus on developing a broader range of skills and outcomes for children.

Implement interventions for these behaviours at an early age that help children learn new behaviour’s.

Develop preventative interventions that are practical and ongoing.

Take the problem away from the child and ask yourself:

Why is this behaviour occurring?

What changes can I make to prevent the problem from occurring and teach the child new skills?

As an Example:

When a child wants a chocolate bar and he was told No, he starts to scream in the supermarket, hit and kick out at his care giver because he thinks if he acts this way – then he will get what he wants.

What is the purpose or outcome for the child?

Obtaining peer or adult attention?

Obtaining an activity, materials, food, toys?

Escaping a task or activity?

Escaping peer or adult attention?

Self-stimulation?

At Monroe’s nursery we follow the following procedures called a functional assessment interview.

It is an interview that describes the problem behaviour with the principle of the nursery and it identifies environmental factors that should reliably result from a challenging behaviour Functional Assessment interview.

After this procedure we have the assessment process.

Choose from a variety of assessment tools.

Interview with the parents.

Directly observe the challenging behaviours and appropriate behaviours when they occur.

What is known as challenging behaviours?

To cause injury to self, or others

To cause damage to physical environments.

Interfere with learning new skills

Are inappropriate for the child’ developmental level and/or cultural background.

Is a challenge for educators and family members to manage?

Forms of Challenging Behaviours:

Aggression

Tantrum

Non compliance

Hitting

Screaming

Refuse to respond

Biting

Crying

Passive when a request is made

Scratching

Whining

 

Kicking

Cursing

 

Throwing things

 

 

Pinching

 

 

Threatening

 

 

Spiting

 

 

Social Withdrawal

Self-injury/ others?

Primarily plays alone

Scratching, Biting & Hitting self

Doesn’t respond to peers

Rocking back & forth

At Monroe’s nursery we thrive on achieving the best for all the children in our care. We take behaviours very seriously and try to provide a positive solution both for the child and their parents.