Thinking
Job of the child
- To establish ability to think for self
- To test reality, to push against boundaries and other people
- To learn to think and solve problems with cause-and-effect thinking
- To start to follow simple safety commands; stop, come here, stay here, go there
- To express anger and other feelings
- To separate from parents without losing their security
- To start to give up beliefs about being the centre of the universe
- To continue earlier tasks
Affirmations
- I’m glad you are starting to think for yourself
- You can say no and push the limits as much as you need to
- It’s okay for you to be angry, and we won’t let you hurt yourself or others
- You can learn to think for yourself and others can too
- You can think and feel at the same time
- You can know what you need and ask for help
- You can be yourself and we will still care for you
Helpful Teacher/Carer Behaviours
- Affirm child in doing the developmental tasks for this stage
- Help transition from one activity to another
- Give simple clear directions, including basic safety commands
- Be consistent in setting limits and ensuring they are kept
- Accept all child’s feelings without getting into win-lose battles
- Give reasons, and provide information to move child on in own thinking
- Stroke thinking by encouragement and celebration
- Expect child to think about own and others' feelings
- Give time for new thinking to develop e.g. cause and effect
Hunger - Structure
Killer message- Don't think