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Follow through immediately, firmly, and clearly. So many teachers call across the room, “Sammy. Put that block down. How many times have I told you …?” Calling across the room in that manner is almost as good as a dare. If you mean it, do it. In other words, physically go over to the child in question. Immediately, kneel down at the child’s eye level, hold his hand that has the block in it, and say firmly, “I want everyone to be safe here. Throwing that block is not safe for anyone.” Personally, I have never found that counting to three or calling out “How many times must I tell you?” are effective ways to stop a child from doing something dangerous. Following through is immediate and explicit. The message is right here and now— physically and verbally.
Quote ID: 00874
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Tamar Jacobson
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Tamar Jacobson is an early childhood development and education consultant for early childhood programs, organizations, and families. She was born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and traveled to Israel, where she became a preschool teacher with the Israeli Ministry of Education. Jacobson completed a doctorate in early childhood education at the University at Buffalo (UB). As Director of the University at Buffalo Child Care Center (UBCCC), she created a training site for early childhood students from area colleges, including UB.
Jacobson is a retired Professor from Rider University, New Jersey, and served as Chair of the Department of Teacher Education for seven years. Dr. Jacobson serves on the Consulting Editors Panel for NAEYC. She received the 2003 Director of the Year Award, National Coalition of Campus Children’s Centers and the 2013 National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE) Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Educator Award. She is a former Fellow in the Child Trauma Academy.
Tamar Jacobson presents at International, National, State and Regional levels. She is author of: Confronting Our Discomfort: Clearing the Way for Anti-Bias (Heinemann, 2003), Don’t Get So Upset! Help Young Children Manage Their Feelings by Understanding Your Own (Redleaf Press, 2008), Everyone Needs Attention: Helping Young Children Thrive (Redleaf Press, 2018).
Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.
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