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:

• “Do your best”