• What might this child be trying to tell me through their behavior?

• What unmet need could be driving this behavior? (e.g., connection, autonomy, safety, attention, competence)

• Is there a pattern to this behavior (time of day, environment, activity)?

• Is the environment overstimulating, under-stimulating, or unpredictable?

• Have expectations been clear and developmentally appropriate?

• Has there been a recent change (routine, relationships, home life) that could be impacting the child?

  
  

• How would I feel if I were in this child’s shoes?

• What is this child’s body language telling me right now?

• Am I responding with calm and connection, or with control and correction?

Predictable Routines and Transitions

• Are students involved in routine rituals

• Do I give verbal or visual “warnings” (e.g., 5-minute countdown) before a transition or end of an activity?

• Do your students know what to expect?

• Do I give students time to prepare before we transition activities or locations?

• Do I use music, chants, or call and response to signal transitions?

• Am I supporting individual children who struggle with transitions using visuals, timers, or personal prompts?

Clear Expectations

• Have I involved students in co-creating classroom norms

• I'm clearly communicated the expectations for this activity or space?

• I've practiced the expectations with students—not just told them?

Restate expectations before transitions

Student Voice & Inclusion

• Have I asked students what helps them remember and follow expectations?

• Do students have a chance to reflect on how they’re doing with expectations (e.g., self-assessment, group check-ins)?

Can all learners (including multilingual or neurodiverse students) access and understand the expectations?

CONNECT: Build the Relationship

Connection should come before correction

Children are more likely to follow directions, engage in learning, and recover from challenges when they feel seen, safe, and connected to a caring adult

How do we do that?....

Greeting Rituals & Daily Connection

examples?....

Emotion Coaching & Co-Regulation

examples?

Attuning to Body Language & Nonverbal Cues

examples?

Relationship Rituals and Positive Attention

examples?

Encouraging Student Voice and Choice

example?

Respond: Supportive, Consistent Follow-Through

Stay Calm and Regulated

examples?

Redirection and Choices

examples?

Use Calm, Respectful Language

examples?

Restore and Repair Relationships

examples?

Teach Replacement Skills

examples?

How has your view of children’s behavior as communication changed after this training?