Behaviour

Redirection is a simple and effective way to prevent undesirable or inappropriate behaviour. There are several ways you can do this and generally all of them can be used with all age groups. You need to modify your strategy and language to match the age of the child/children and the behaviour being exhibited.

Methods of redirection include:

distracting
providing multiples of the same toy
ignoring attention-seeking behaviour
helping the child to identify and solve problems for themselves
not providing choices in situations where there is no choice.

Read through the following examples. Try to decide what method of redirection might work for each situation, then click to read a suggestion.

0-2 year old
A 14 month old child takes a ball from another child, who then bursts into tears.

Offer another ball to the child who took the toy so that they release it and it can be given back to the child who was originally playing with it.

0-2 year old
A 20 month old child climbs onto tables to practise their new climbing skills.

Ensure lots of suitable equipment and opportunity are provided for climbing, and make furniture less accessible (eg put away unused chairs or tables where possible).

2-3 year olds
A 30 month old child with limited expressive language skills frequently
bites the other children.

Close supervision is required at all times to protect the other children.

3-5 year olds
The children are packing away ready for lunch and one 4 year old child
is sitting watching.

The caregiver gives the child a specific job, eg putting the books back on the shelf. This engages the child in the group task.

3-5 year olds
A 4 year old is building a tall tower out of wooden blocks, and it’s now taller than her.
She has just pulled a box over to stand on so she can make it even higher.

The caregiver needs to talk with the child about her building and what she thinks may happen if her tower falls. The caregiver needs to continue the conversation until the child is aware of the safety of the other children.

6-12 year olds
An 8 year old boy has climbed up into one of the trees in the outdoor play area and is swinging from a branch while shouting at the caregiver, daring them to come and get him.

The caregiver won’t attempt to go up and get him as it would be unsafe for both of them. She needs to monitor what he’s doing throughout the incident, whilst appearing to pay no attention, outwardly seeming to ignore his attention-seeking behaviour.

Behaviour

Caring for babies

Caring for children

Communication

Development

Health, hygiene and safety

Learning experiences and play

Legal and ethical issues

Observation methods

Programming

Redirecting behaviour

0-2 year oldA 14 month old child takes a ball from another child, who then bursts into tears.

0-2 year oldA 20 month old child climbs onto tables to practise their new climbing skills.

2-3 year oldsA 30 month old child with limited expressive language skills frequently bites the other children.

3-5 year oldsThe children are packing away ready for lunch and one 4 year old child is sitting watching.

3-5 year oldsA 4 year old is building a tall tower out of wooden blocks, and it’s now taller than her. She has just pulled a box over to stand on so she can make it even higher.