Handout C-4: The Head Start Environment

I.Third possible explanation: The Head Start environment

Physical environment, structure of activities, experiences, and relationships offered in the Head Start setting obviously contribute to children's behavior. Troubling behavior that is explained by factors in the environment will be improved by intervening with the environment rather than the child. Teachers' behavior is an important part of the environment.

II. Clues: How can I tell if a child's behavior is explained by something in the Head Start environment?

• Behavior is not explained by a developmental stage or individual differences.
• Many children in the group have the same behavior.
• The group is responding to a specific condition.
• When the condition in the environment changes, the behavior changes.

III. If a child's behavior is explained by the Head Start environment, what actions should I take?

· If you decide the behavior is in response to the Head Start environment do something to change the environment. For example, change the length of circle time, or make sure children are getting enough protection, attention, stimulation, order, and calm.

IV. Example

· Jeannette:

Jeannette is a brand new Head Start teacher, and she is very excited about the new school year. She has planned lots of great activities for circle time that she just can't wait to do. In the first couple of weeks though, her enthusiasm is getting worn down with a little despair. The children are just not handling circle time well. Almost every day she has a classroom full of kids running wild by the end of circle time.

When Jeannette's mentor teacher comes to observe one day, she has some suggestions for Jeannette. She notices that during art projects or other small group activities, many of the children are able to concentrate and focus in a manner that is appropriate for four-year-olds. She gently points out that almost all of the children are having a hard time, which suggests that they are responding to something external and occurring in the immediate situation. She praises Jeannette's activity plans, but helps her modify them so that each circle time is only 15 to 20 minutes long.

Over the next several weeks, Jeannette is feeling better, and some days she has successful circle time activities. Even when two or three kids have a hard time, most of the group is able to focus on the activity. With the help of her mentor teacher, Jeannette's modification has helped the children, and Jeannette, succeed.

Handout C-5 | Handout C-3 | Module 2| Index

Head Start National Library Collection | BMCC Home