Learning Behaviours: A Practical Guide to Self-Regulation in the Early Years

In this latest author chat episode, early years teacher and author of over 30 books, Sue Cowley, shares her thoughts on her newest book, Learning Behaviours: A Practical Guide to Self-Regulation in the Early Years (John Catt Educational).

Cowley wrote the book to describe and examine how behavior is learned in the early years and provide practical advice about supporting children to build their self-regulation skills. “The learning of behaviors does not begin when a child arrives in a daycare setting or kindergarten – the process starts from the very first interactions with parents or carers,” she explains. It’s the modeling, support, and teaching of behaviors by parents and early childhood educators that becomes critical in creating a firm foundation for childrens’ future learning.

As you listen to the interview, think through the following questions, and consider your views on the language of behavior and how your actions as a role model can influence behavior for the children in your life:

• In terms of the language of behavior, would you find it helpful for all educators and parents to have a set of common terms to make the exchange of behavior goals more comfortable in the classroom? What are some productive and not so productive uses you’ve encountered?

• Cowley brings up the concept of a “child whisperer” and being an “expert communicator” as essential behavioral support elements. How are you tuning in to a child’s needs and offering return communication that provides a good model and influences positive future behavior?

• What are you doing to eliminate the “blame game” between adults in terms of child behavior? As an educator or parent, do you take it personally when a child isn’t behaving? Do you rush to judgment, assuming another person must be doing something wrong when a child has a behavioral challenge?

• If the goal is to get kids from co-regulation to self-regulation, what are you doing as an educator or parent to help bridge that transition? What are some key behaviors you have noticed that are sticking and making a lasting impact?

Learn more about Sue Cowley’s book, Learning Behaviours: A Practical Guide to Self-Regulation in the Early Years, and more great John Catt Educational publications, by visiting us.johncattbookshop.com

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