Negative comments tend to reinforce negative behavior, while positive comments and direction tend to support positive behavior. A positive approach to teaching appropriate behavior is one in which children are recognized for their accomplishments and helped to learn from their mistakes by being given acceptable alternatives. A child's difficult feelings need to be acknowledged. Adults should be capable of helping children express anger in constructive and acceptable ways. Children should be encouraged to talk about their anger while, at the same time, prevented from hurting others.
Skillful adults are also able to guide children in resolving their differences with each other.
Children need to be comforted and listened to when they are anxious or upset. Care providers should attempt to communicate at the child's eye-level. Young children deserve and benefit from truthful information conveyed in a kind manner. They respond better to changes in the daily activities when the teachers prepare them in advance. All children sometimes need to be alone to explore their environment in their own way and to make discoveries without intrusive directions from adults.