High Priority:

• Behavior in a group will hinder learning of self or others, or


• Repeated violent, harmful acts


• And does not respond to typical discipline

Low Priority:

• Child is learning self-control and what behavior is expected; responds to discipline and behavior teaching in other group settings

• Preschool has clearly stated behavior teaching method and discipline policy


• In general, look for:


• Clear behavior expectations communicated


• Emotion instruction: teaches words for common strong feelings, reading others' faces and body language, understanding own strong feelings, self control techniques


• Frequent praise, discussions of good behavior


• Consistent, immediate, firm and fair consequences delivered without passion


• Ideally, policies are ones you feel comfortable emulating at home

What is your basic approach to discipline?

Do you use special tactics for children who need more help learning behavior and self-control? What are they?

Do you teach children to understand their own emotions and to read others' emotions? How?

See The Savvy Source web pages:

• School Philosophy and Day-in-the-Life


• Curriculum and Teaching Approach: Social Skills and Work Habits


• Quality of Teaching


• Discipline, Health and Safety


• Applications and Admissions