Designing Supportive Environments
Designing Supportive Environments
Designing Supportive Environments, Routines, and Instructions to Prevent Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Classrooms with Nichole DeSesso & Johari Sykes-Ratliff
In part one of their two-part series, Nichole DeSesso and Johari Sykes-Ratliff describe the foundations of behavior and how to better define and understand challenging behavior in the early childhood classroom. They explain how to design supportive classroom environments through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the importance of predictable routines and transitions.
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In part two of their Designing Supportive Environments series, Nichole DeSesso and Johari Sykes-Ratliff describe how classroom layout, inclusion of sensory-friendly elements, and clear visual organization decrease challenging behavior and increase independence. This session covers the use of visual schedules, first-then boards, timers, and routine-based supports that help children understand expectations and transition smoothly. Additional strategies explored include breaking learning into manageable steps, offering choices, incorporating movement, and aligning instruction with children’s developmental needs.
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