Common Behavioral Expectations and Language
Good Listening: To be a “good listener”, the student will be attentive
to the speaker, have a quiet body, and wait for his/her turn to speak.
Our “Listening Song”, coupled with visual cues, targets the following good listener behaviors:
- Sit up straight and tall
- Watch the one who talks
- Keep my body still
- Do not interrupt
Nice Talk: Adults model a warm and friendly tone in order to teach
students socially appropriate “Nice Talk”. Good manners are infused in
the daily routine and conversations (please, thank you, excuse me...).
Brave Talk: Adults support students in their use of an assertive tone when negotiating conflict between peers.
- “Use your words”
- “Hands down”
- “Don’t hit me”
- “Don’t touch my body”
- “I don’t like it when...”
- “I feel sad/upset/frustrated when...”
Use your words: Encouraging children, to the best of their ability, to
use brave talk, pictures, sign language, or common language to express
their emotions.
Dangerous and Destructive: Helping students learn to distinguish between
tattling and when it is important to tell adults. Discuss what makes
something dangerous or destructive
- “Did it hurt someone?”
- “Did it hurt our materials?”
Trying things even if it’s hard: