6.2: Factors that Influence Behavior
There are many factors that influence the behaviors of children. It’s important for teachers to keep these in mind as they observe, interpret, and respond to children’s behaviors.[1]
Developmental Factors by Age
While each child develops at their own rate and in their own time and may not match every listed item, here are some general descriptions of children by age:
1-2 Year Olds
- Like to explore their environment
- Like to open and take things apart
- Like to dump things over
- Can play alone for short periods of time
- Still in oral stage, may use biting, or hitting to express their feelings or ideas
2-3 Year Olds
- Need to run, climb, push and pull
- Are not capable of sharing, waiting or taking turns
- Want to do things on their own
- Work well with routine
- Like to follow adults around
- Prolong bedtime
- Say “no”
- Understand more than he/she can say
3-4 year Olds
- Like to run, jump, climb
- May grow out of naps
- Want approval from adults
- Want to be included “me too”
- Are curious about everything
- May have new fears and anxieties
- Have little patience, but can wait their turn
- Can take some responsibility
- Can clean up after themselves
4-5 Year Olds
- Are very active
- Start things but don’t necessarily finish them
- Are bossy and boastful
- Tell stories, exaggerate
- Use “toilet” words in a “silly” way
- Have active imaginations
5-6 Year Olds
- Want everything to be fair
- Able to understand responsibility
- Able to solve problems on their own
- Try to negotiate[2]
Table 6.1: Positive Approaches for Developmental Factors
| Ages/Stages | Developmental Factors | Examples of a Positive Approach to developmental factors to manage behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Infant/Toddler | Children this age:
|
Children in this stage tend to dump and run, so plan games to enhance this behavior in a positive way. Have large wide-mouth bins for children to practice “dumping items” into and out of. This strategy redirects the behavior of creating a mess into a structured activity to match the development. |
| Older Toddlers | Children this age:
|
|
| Young Preschool (3-4 years) | Children this age:
|
Young preschoolers become curious and create many misconceptions as they create new schemas for understanding concepts. Listen to ideas sensitively address them quickly and honestly. Model exploration and engagement in new activities (especially ones they may be fearful of engaging in) |
| Older Preschool (4-5 years) | Children this age:
|
Ask the children to create new silly, but appropriate words to represent emotions rather than focusing on the “bad” words they use. |
| Young School-Age | Children this age:
|
Fairness is a big issue for this group so working with this age group, a teacher should sit with children to develop “rules” and “consequences” so they can take ownership of behavioral expectations |
Environmental Factors
- Weather
- Adequate Play Space
- Room Arrangement
- Materials Available (not enough)
- Pee