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| Developing observation and supervision skills is the most important goal for the beginning early childhood educator. In order to ensure the safety and health of the children, the early childhood educator needs to develop dual focus—a technique that allows the adult to supervise the group and, at the same time, build relationships with individual children. Early childhood educators also need to develop skills in guiding children's behavior and communicating effectively to gain children's cooperation. The first step in building cooperation is to develop a relationship with the children. To stop unacceptable behavior, the early childhood educator must be firm and assertive. Redirecting behavior is more effective than a command or angry threat because it offers the child a choice; he or she feels empowered rather than helpless. Conflicts should also be handled in ways that empower children; the early childhood educator should acknowledge the children's feelings and allow them to solve the problem themselves. Helping children learn to take reasonable risks and experience the consequences of their actions helps teach safety and sound decision-making skills. Early childhood educators must also know how to set up and maintain a safe environment for exploration and for caregiving. A developmentally appropriate environment not only ensures safety but also cuts down on unnecessary frustration for the children. The environment must also be clean, orderly, and well maintained. |