The Learning Tree is committed to creating a supportive environment where young children can thrive. Our guidelines for positive guidance reflect this commitment and promote basic respect for the children in our care. Positive guidance encompasses all of the actions taken by teachers to develop self-fulfilling, productive, and socially acceptable behaviors in children. Adults should view discipline as an important aspect of teaching and learning while accepting children as they are. This aspect of a child’s development is viewed as a growth process, with each age and stage having its own characteristics, challenges, and needs. The following standards have been developed to create a caring environment that teaches children to behave in responsible ways and to feel good about themselves:

• Set realistic expectations for young children’s behavior
• Create a ‘yes’ environment that encourages children’s positive behavior
• Model appropriate behavior
• Encourage children’s efforts to build feelings of self-worth
• Give children alternatives to turn destructive situations into constructive ones
• Use natural and logical consequences to motivate and empower children to make responsible decisions about their behavior
• Encourage behaviors such as cooperating, helping, negotiating, and problem solving

At The Learning Tree, we value parents as our partners in guiding the children in our care. Frequent communication is key to building our relationship with the children and the parents in our program. In person communication, over the phone, text messages and email messages are available to parents daily and conferences are available on as needed basis.