Children's Psychology Assignment: Communication, Rules, and Behavior

This assignment delves into the realm of children's psychology, examining crucial aspects of effective communication, disciplinary techniques, and fostering positive behaviors within educational and care settings. The assignment begins by presenting a scenario where a child faces a decision, illustrating the application of the SODAS (Situation, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, Solution) technique to guide decision-making. The importance of appropriate non-verbal communication is then discussed, emphasizing its significance in early childhood interactions. The assignment further explores methods to ensure fair and consistent discipline, highlighting the need for watchful oversight and staff training. Furthermore, it addresses how to establish clear rules and limits for children, promoting their understanding and adherence. Finally, it outlines three practical ways to assist children in developing more positive behaviors, aligning with the guidelines of the National Quality Standard (NQS) and emphasizing the role of educators as positive role models and effective communicators. The assignment references relevant literature to support the discussed concepts.

Running head: SITUATIONS AND CHILDRENS' PSYCHOLOGY.
Situations and children’s psychology
Name of Student:
Name of University;
Author note:

1Situations and children’s psychology
Consider a situation in which a child might be expected to make a decision. Describe the
situation and explain how the SODAS technique might be applied to this situation.
Situation: A child is about to get beaten up by his friend as he poured water in his notebook and
is expected to make a decision.
Option 1: Get beaten.
Option 2: Complain to his class teacher.
Option 3: Sincerely apologize for his mistake and promise his friend a new notebook.
Solution: Option 3
Advantage: Option 3 saves him from getting hurt and also saves his friendship.
Disadvantage: His friend might not believe him.
SODAS technique is useful as it helps the child make a decision considering all the
circumstances.
Why is it important to ensure that non-verbal communication is appropriate and relevant?
Non-verbal communication is very important in human interaction because non-verbal
communication is as important as verbal communication (Phutela, 2015). According to NQS
which lists national laws and regulations communication should be according to the age of
children and Responding to non-verbal cues, initiating or reflection of babbling and cooing,
laughing and smiling, responding to crying in ways that meets the babies’ or infants’ needs is
very important. Infants and toddlers do not understand verbal messages, so it is essential to
respond to them in signs and gestures.

2Situations and children’s psychology
How can you make sure that discipline within a service provider is fair and consistent?
Talking to the children about limits in a positive way that focus on what they should do
rather than what they should not do. Ensuring that a service provider is fair and consistent is very
important for the proper care of each child. Biased behaviour of service provider results in the
insecurity of children who do not get treated equally (Dev et al., 2014). In order to do that, one
has to keep a watchful eye on the service provider and how he interacts with all children of the
facility. A great way to do that is to install CCTV cameras in the rooms to keep a watchful eye
on the service provider. It is also essential to hire people only after giving them proper training
for at least 6 months to make sure they understand their responsibilities well before officially
joining the job.
How can you make sure that rules and limits are understood and that children are
constantly aware of them?
Talking to the children about what to do rather than what not to do will help in
establishing limits and rules. Focusing on child’s behavior can help as the behavior is the
problem not the child. Praising them and developing positive behavior is important and can be
done when the focus is on the behavior of child. Asking them question about the rules will give
them a choice so they should be told what they should do without giving them a choice.The
service provider will ensure that all the rules and limits are clearly understood by the children.
Rules and limits build the foundation of discipline in the life of children. Children are very
forgetful, and it is important to constantly remind them of the rules and limits so that they
remember all the rules and abides by them.
List and describe three ways you would assist a child to more positive behaviours. When
would you do this?

3Situations and children’s psychology
 According to NQS guidelines, there should the educator should encourage positive
behavior in children in all circumstances. The first way is to become a good model, In
order to do that, one must behave in such a manner that a child looks up to the adult and get
inspired by him\her. Using language that are slightly above the language of the children
makes the incorporate your vocabulary into their own. This will help in developing good
vocabulary in the children. Second is to appreciate them when they do well. Third way
would to communicate with effectively when they do something wrong. Effective
communication is the key when it comes to the positive behavior of children. Making them
understand what is right and wrong is crucial for child’s development.

4Situations and children’s psychology
Reference

5Situations and children’s psychology
Dev, D.A., Speirs, K.E., McBride, B.A., Donovan, S.M. and Chapman-Novakofski, K., 2014.
Head Start and child care providers’ motivators, barriers and facilitators to practicing family-
style meal service. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 29(4), pp.649-659.
Knapp, M.L., Hall, J.A. and Horgan, T.G., 2013. Nonverbal communication in human
interaction. Cengage Learning.
Phutela, D., 2015. The importance of non-verbal communication. IUP Journal of Soft
Skills, 9(4), p.43.
Wang, M.T., Brinkworth, M. and Eccles, J., 2013. Moderating effects of teacher–student
relationship in adolescent trajectories of emotional and behavioral adjustment. Developmental
psychology, 49(4), p.690.