Children's preferences are seen as a healthy indication of a developing self-concept. Adults respect toddlers' desire to carry favored objects around with them, to move objects like household items from one place to another, and to roam around or sit and parallel play with toys and objects. Adults patiently redirect toddlers to help guide children toward controlling their own impulses and behavior. When children fight over the same toy, the adult provides another like it or removes the toy. If neither of these strategies is effective, the adult may gently remove the toddler and redirect the child's attention by initiating play in another area.
Adults only punish children for overtly dangerous behavior.
Children are praise for their accomplishments and helped to feel increasingly competent and in control of themselves. Children and their parents are greeted warmly and with enthusiasm each morning. The day begins with a great deal of adult-child contact. Adults help toddlers settle into the group by reading books or quietly playing with them. Adults model the type of interactions with others that they want children to develop.