Director of Mary Bailey House
Getting Ready for Kindy – Action Research
Respect
We would like to thank our families for their contributions to our Action Research Project by reinforcing our morning routine practices. There has been a noticeable shift in the way the children are entering MBH in the mornings. This in turn has assisted the children in having a positive start and setting them up for a successful day. We encourage you to continue supporting these practices with your children.
The second component of the 5Rs that we are researching and evaluating is Respect.
Respect is an essential character trait for a person to fit into society. It is typically associated with giving appropriate regard to authority figures, and the ability to follow the rules of the family or school, or the conventions of society. You show respect to people through your consideration of their rights and their feelings (J.Locke, 2020).
In light of our research into this trait, we have met regularly with the older preschoolers and discussed respect, what it looks like and the consequences of disrespectful behaviour. To help the children understand what respect involves, we use language and examples like, ‘Did you notice that person was talking?’ ‘Remember your turn is after……’ ‘Did you hear them say that they didn’t need help?’ ‘Can you show me how you did that?’ ‘(Child) is really good at that, you could get help from them.‘
Here are some of the children’s responses when asked how they show respect for others:
Lola: ‘I tell people the right thing to do. I teach them to be respectful by doing the respectful thing to someone else.’
Roger: ‘You don’t hurt other people. You don’t fight about things.’
Laura: ‘You be helpful. If you are not respectful you are doing the wrong things.’
Lola: ‘You have to respect other people. You listen to them and don’t hurt them and you don’t touch them.’
Ted: ‘Help your friends with things that they need help with.’
Clara: ‘When someone is using something you ask them if you can have a turn when they are finished.’
Laura: ‘You have to say can I play too? You don’t ruin people’s work.’
Ted: ‘If other people are talking you have to wait.’
Lola: ‘A way to help people is to listen to them. You have to ask what they are doing and what they are playing.’
Sophie H: ‘It’s a community.’
Some of the consequences of disrespectful behaviour at MBH which were discussed and agreed to by the children are as follows:
- a reminder of expectations and consideration of others
- time away from the experience and redirected to a quiet drawing
- missed opportunities in activities such as gardening, library and tennis. These privileges require respectful behaviour so that all children benefit from the learning these experiences offer.
Parent support –
Below are some examples of our current practices that parents can also use to reinforce and support respectful behaviour
- Encourage turn taking when talking and listening so that everybody’s contribution is valued.
- Draw children’s attention to any language that could be deemed unkind or impolite. Give them alternative words.
- Discuss any concerns about children’s behaviour away from other children.
- Encourage your child to care for their belongings and equipment.
- Provide opportunities for children to assist or help others.
- Draw attention to polite, empathetic interactions with others., e.g. ‘I liked the way you helped your friend.’
- Use realistic, appropriate and consistent consequences to help build positive relationships with others (see the list above).
- Use realistic praise and encouragement to promote positive attitudes, e.g ‘I liked the way you waited until I finished talking. I am ready to hear what you have to say.’
Kathryn Graham and Danielle Lomas
References:
Locke, J., 2021 Life Education Queensland, https://lifeeducationqld.org.au/the-five-rs-for-success-at-school/
Vacation Care
It will be school holidays at the end of next week and we have a great program of activities and vacation care at OOSH. More details can be found below and we look forward to receiving your booking.
Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House
