Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings : A Teacher's Guide

To prevent and resolve common behavior problems in young children, early childhood teachers need a full understanding of what's behind the behaviors and strategies that really work. This complete professional development package gives pre- and in-service educators the practical help they've been waiting for. Taking a "big picture" approach to this critical topic, this book-and-CD set illuminates the diverse influences on challenging behavior—including temperament, preferences, home life, and peer relationships—and arms teachers with the tools they need to create powerful solutions.

Building on up-to-date research and their experience in early childhood education, the expert authors show teachers how to improve behavior by

• ensuring a safe classroom environment where all children feel welcome
• designing physical spaces that support learning and positive interactions
• using a developmentally appropriate curriculum that also meets individual student needs
• implementing daily routines and activities that keep children engaged
• changing negative perceptions of children through knowledge of temperament differences
• responding consistently and constructively to behavior challenges
• using verbal and nonverbal communication to strengthen bonds with children
• improving interactions with families and other professionals

Going beyond "one size fits all" strategies, this resource empowers teachers to assess their students' specific needs and choose the solutions that will work best. Educators will get more than 60 tools and worksheets—filled-in samples in the book and blank printable versions on the CD-ROM—that help them analyze their current practices, collect information about the child's behavior and temperament, build stronger relationships with parents, and much more.

With this hands-on guide to classroom harmony, teachers will provide positive, customized behavior support to young children with and without disabilities—and ensure that all students stay safe, engaged, and ready to learn.

A featured book in our Better Behavior Kit!

See how this product helps strengthen Head Start program quality and school readiness.

Dawn Denno, M.Ed., Ed.D., is Director of Early Education and Care at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Denno received a master of science in early childhood education and an education doctorate in special education. Dr. Denno spent 10 years as an early education classroom teacher. She has served as a Head Start director, a child care licensing specialist, and an administrator of Montessori and traditional child care programs. Dr. Denno previously worked for the Ohio Department of Education, where she facilitated quality improvement initiatives and assessment in early education programs across the state. Dr. Denno’s areas of interest include school readiness, literacy, assessment, language development, and supporting children with challenging behavior. Her publications include articles on early intervention, outcome measurement, and behavior support.

Victoria Carr, Ed.D., is Director of the Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center and Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education, University of Cincinnati. She is Executive Director for the Arlitt Head Start program and Executive Producer for Arlitt Instructional Media. For many years, Dr. Carr’s work has focused on children who have challenging behaviors. Her current research is on nature and children. She collaborates with the Cincinnati Nature Center to lead The Cincinnati Playscape Initiative. Dr. Carr holds a bachelor of science in elementary education and learning and behavioral disorders, a master of science in gifted education, and a doctorate in early childhood special education.

Susan Hart Bell, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of Child Development at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. Dr. Bell received a master of science degree in clinical psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and a doctorate in school psychology from the University of Cincinnati. She has coordinated an interdisciplinary team serving preschool children with disabilities in Raleigh, North Carolina, and consulted with preschools in the Greater Cincinnati area. Dr. Bell directed the Ohio Early Childhood Intervention Project at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Bell and her husband, Jeff, have two children, Sarah and Chad, and one grandchild, Elijah Chad.