Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
14.1. Staff
shall ensure that all guidance, behavior management, and discipline practices
are constructive and educational in nature, appropriate to each child's age and
circumstances, and in keeping with the WV Pre-K program's policies and
procedures;
14.2. At all times,
staff members are responsible for providing positive guidance that is
appropriate to each child's age, understanding, and circumstances. When a
behavior problem arises, qualified staff members shall:
14.2.a. redirect the child to alternative
behavior or other activities;
14.2.b. encourage children to control their
own behavior, cooperate with others, and solve problems by talking through the
issues;
14.2.c. speak so the child
understands that feelings are acceptable, but inappropriate behaviors and
actions are not; and/or
14.2.d.
take action that relates to inappropriate behavior and ensure that any action
that is taken is without bias and in proportion to the child's act.
14.3. Staff members and other
adults in a WV Pre-K classroom shall not handle behavior problems by:
14.3.a. subjecting a child to physical
punishment of any kind;
14.3.b.
putting anything in or on a child's mouth as punishment;
14.3.c. restraining a child physically or by
placing the child in confining equipment or using any other restrictive means
such as straps or ties. A staff person may, in extreme circumstances to protect
the child or other persons around him or her, use a gentle method of physically
holding the child. The staff person must be an experienced staff member who is
known to the child and shall only restrain the child for as long as is
necessary for the child to regain control;
14.3.d. subjecting a child to psychological
punishment of any kind, including but not limited to, shaming, ridicule,
humiliation, or negative remarks about the child or the child's family,
including remarks about race, gender, religion, physical characteristics, or
cultural background;
14.3.e. using
harsh or profane language, yelling, screaming, or actual or implied threats of
physical punishment;
14.3.f.
punishing or threatening a child in association with food, rest, or toilet
training;
14.3.g. isolating a child
without supervision or placing the child in a dark area;
14.3.h. permitting a child to discipline
other children;
14.3.i. punishing
an entire group for the actions of one child or a few children;
14.3.j. seeking or accepting parental
permission to use physical punishment or other actions prohibited by this rule;
or
14.3.k. using of any other
practice that is not appropriate for the ages/stages of the children or is
harmful psychologically or physically.
14.4. Staff shall develop program provisions
that prohibit or severely limit the use of suspension in pre-k due to a child's
behavior. A temporary suspension may be used only as a last resort in
extraordinary circumstances where there is a safety threat that cannot be
eliminated without reasonable modifications. Program provisions must include
the following criteria:
14.4.a. guidance for a
multidisciplinary team to determine when no other reasonable option is
appropriate;
14.4.b. a written plan
to guide actions and supports needed; and
14.4.c. efforts to engage parents and
appropriate community resources.
