Philosophy -- The Director and faculty of the School for Young Children at Saint Joseph College believe that a challenging curriculum and warm, responsive teaching help create an atmosphere that reduces opportunities for negative interaction. Anticipation and preventative intervention are teaching strategies used to help children control impulses and develop communication skills.

Through positive guidance teachers:

• Help children respect the rights and feelings of others
• Help children develop empathy for others through exploration and example
• Praise efforts of cooperation and compromise
• Prevent children from hurting each other verbally and physically

When limits need to be set, teachers do so in a quiet, firm manner making eye contact with the child on his/her level and in such a way as not to embarrass the child. Teachers try to redirect negative energy by providing opportunities for large muscle activity, or presenting such soothing activities as water play, sand play or play dough.

Based on the Discipline Policy, as stated, teachers are prohibited from using any methods of discipline that would embarrass, humiliate, or harm the self-esteem of a child in any way.

The ultimate aim of the discipline policy of the School for Young Children is to help children develop self-control, self-esteem, and respect for the rights of others in a trusting, secure and nurturing environment.

We believe prevention is the key. Through classroom procedure and planning, teachers:

• Accept each child as a worthwhile individual at his/her own level of development and recognize behavior is a reflection of each child's experience to date
• Anticipate behavior and intervene before disruption occurs
• Plan a wide range of activities using a variety of materials that complement children's interests, growth and development
• Provide a balanced curriculum of quiet and active events in an orderly daily sequence in which children participate at their own pace
• Structure activities that require close supervision, such as cooking, art and discussion, into small group experiences to provide for immediate and individual attention.