Positive behaviour guidance.

How educators at Normanhurst Child Care Centre support children to develop self-regulation, manage their emotions, and build positive relationships with each other.

Our approach

We use a positive guidance approach to behaviour, in line with the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standard. The starting assumption is that children's behaviour is communication, and our job is to understand what each child is communicating and respond in a way that helps them learn.

Our approach avoids punishment, shame and isolating children as a consequence. Instead, we work with the child in the moment and over time, helping them to recognise their own feelings, name what they need, and find better ways to get it.

What this looks like in practice

Naming feelings

When a child is upset, frustrated or angry, the educator names the feeling. "You're really frustrated that the truck keeps falling over." This helps the child build a vocabulary for what they're experiencing, which over time helps them manage it.

Holding the limit, with warmth

If a child is doing something we cannot allow (hitting another child, climbing somewhere unsafe), we stop the behaviour clearly and calmly. Educators guide calmly and clearly, naming what the child can do instead. "I won't let you hit. Hands are for holding. Let's find another way."

Setting up the environment

A lot of behaviour issues at this age come from environment, not the child. Hungry children are dysregulated. Tired children are dysregulated. Bored children become destructive. We pay attention to setting up the day so children have what they need: food at regular times, opportunities for big physical movement, calm spaces to retreat to, and engaging materials they can choose between.

Working in partnership with families

If something is happening with your child's behaviour at the centre, we'll talk to you about it. If something is happening at home (a new baby, a move, a divorce, a death in the family), tell us. The more we know, the better we can support your child through it.

Bullying and exclusion

Children sometimes exclude each other or use unkind words. When this happens, we talk to all the children involved, name what happened, and help them think through how it felt and what could happen instead. A child is never labelled as "the bully". Children at this age are still learning how to be in the world with each other.

If a child needs more support

If a child is consistently dysregulated, hurting themselves or others, or showing signs of needing more support than the typical child, we work closely with their family. We may suggest assessment by a paediatrician, speech therapist or occupational therapist. We're open to working alongside any external supports a family chooses to bring in.