Decision Making Model - Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Introduction:
This chapter will focus on the Decision Making Model (DMM) of child guidance. As a professional in the field of early education you will see that you have a choice about how you interact with children. You can make wise and well-reasoned choices that promote success and self-esteem in children. This model was introduced in the first chapter of your textbook and we will now look at it in depth and learn how to put it into practice.

Learning objectives:
> Demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of the DMM.

> Demonstrate an understanding of and practice the steps found in the DMM.

Body of lecture:
The Decision-Making Model of child guidance was introduced in chapter one. It is a tool to use in decision making when faced with a discipline encounter.

Those who use the Decision-Making Model successfully:
have knowledge about child guidance
utilize specific child guidance skills
respect children and families

Understanding how children develop is essential so that adults can clarify their expectations of children. Awareness of culture and family is necessary for adults to have to connect behaviours and development. Adults can implement a variety of DAP child guidance strategies which gives them skills to manage their classroom well. Professionals who respect children and families understand their role and are competent when interacting with children There is no one strategy fits all. An eclectic approach fits with different children and families.
See pg. 325 Figure 13.1


An Eclectic Approach – What does it Mean?
Some children, unfortunately, live under conditions that make it difficult for them to learn appropriate behaviour. Therefore, they may exhibit difficult behaviour. We must remember children are individuals and have differing experiences. The Decision-Making Model is an individualized model that allows you to determine the course of action for a specific child in a certain scenario. It is flexible (or eclectic) because it draws from many ideas about child guidance.

You can use this model for the following:
- everyday discipline encounters
- more difficult issues/behaviours
- need to change the context or setting
- teacher need to examine their own practices


In summary:
This chapter has given us knowledge necessary to understand the DMM (Decision Making Model) for developing appropriate guidance techniques for children. The DMM has 4 critical steps necessary to follow if you want successful outcomes for extinguishing inappropriate behaviours. These steps are:
Observe
Decide
Take action
Reflect

Implementing these steps will benefit the adult and the child when faced with any guidance scenario.