From my experience at the ECCE level, the most effective positive behaviour strategy is praising and speaking with respect to the children.

Praising children for their work/effort has proven time and time again to be very effective to obtain good behaviour. Children feel good about themselves and they feel a sense of accomplishment. They become excited and it heightens their motivation to do more, to explore and try new ways of learning. Their participation and collaboration increase as they engage in open dialogue with their peers about the teacher’s remarks to them. Their work is displayed within their classroom environment so they can complement each other which builds their self- esteem. More so, it is the smile of pride that covers their faces with happiness that rewards the teachers.

Children must also be respected and treated with dignity, they are our future generation, and we have to be positive role models to them. They should be addressed by their proper names and be spoken to in an amicable tone, our facial gestures must be approachable, and they must feel and know that they are important to us and we value their presence.