Effective Discipline Policies: How to Create a System that Supports
Young Children's Social-Emotional Competence
by Sascha Longstreth, PhD, and Sarah Garrity, EdD
Challenging behaviors can derail an early childhood learning community, and punishment and exclusion are not the answer. Young children need support and instruction to help them learn how to cooperate, listen, share, and interact positively with their peers and with adults. Where to start?
Effective Discipline Policies offers clear, evidence-based information and an easy-to-use checklist to help administrators craft a developmentally appropriate, consistent, effective behavioral guidance policy that benefits all members of the learning community:
- For the teacher: a better classroom environment with fewer challenging behaviors
- For the child: a positive climate and nurturing approach that teaches real social skills and builds self-esteem
- For the administrator: fewer challenging behaviors, support and clear expectations for teachers, and parents who feel heard and respected
- For parents and families: children are learning across all domains, have positive experiences with school, and feel respected and a part of the school community
Sascha Longstreth, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. Her research and policy interests focus on improving the quality of teacher-child interactions and designing systems-level approaches for supporting young children's social competence. She is a prolific author and sought-after teacher and presenter.
Sarah Garrity, EdD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. Her research and policy interests focus on early childhood workforce development, educational leadership, and the socio-cultural and linguistic contexts of teaching and learning. She has more than 25 years of experience in the field as a classroom teacher, Head Start administrator, and literacy coach. She is an author and presenter on topics related to best practice in early care and education settings.
