Consulting and Presenting for Daycares and Preschools

The Frustration of Challenging Behaviors

I so often hear teachers’ frustration about the increase of challenging behaviors in the classroom.

They want to support these struggling learners, while at the same time not forgetting about all of the other children in their classroom.

But how do they do that?

I can help.

The Many Challenges for Those in Early Childhood Care and Education

Children are presenting with more difficult, disruptive behaviors…

There are pressures from primary educators for children to be “school ready”…

Parents often want their children to learn or demonstrate developmentally inappropriate skills. Often what is developmentally appropriate for a child to be doing in early childhood is a “disappointment” to the parents’ expectations.

All of this begs the question…

How can you be everything to everyone?

You can’t, but supporting children’s social and emotional growth and development comes very close.

There is an inverse relationship between challenging behaviors and social-emotional skills: The more social-emotional skills a child has, the less the child manifests challenging behaviors.

I know how to promote children’s social and emotional growth both in the classroom setting and at home.

What can an early childhood mental health consultant offer to my program?

I draw from a large body of knowledge, including a variety of disciplines and theories, to understand children, families, and staff and how they relate to each other.

I help strengthen families’ and early care professionals’ capacities to support the mental health of all children and families, preventing mental health problems from developing or increasing in intensity and thus, reducing overall mental health concerns.

I collaborate with families and caregivers and staff to understand and respond effectively to a child’s mental health needs.

I assist caregivers to understand and effectively respond to the mental health needs of a family as well as how to consult with families, other caregivers, and staff about a particular child or family.

I will collaborate with parents and caregivers to assess relationships, routines, and practices that impact the classroom or home climate.

We will explore together how the classroom supports all children’s social emotional development.

I help assess a program’s systems, policies, procedures, professional development, philosophy and mission as they relate to supporting mental health of young children and their families.

Why might presentations be a good idea for our program?

I also offer dynamic, interactive presentations on a social emotional topic of your choice.

I think presentations are best received when it is specific to a particular program.

In order to accomplish that, I find it helpful to meet with director, tour the program, and spend some time at the center with the staff and children in order to tailor the presentation to your particular program, culture and staff.

Please contact me if you would like more information or you are interested in having me be your social service consultant.