This measure focuses on the teacher’s typical style for maintaining calm in the classroom. It considers the teacher’s patience and relaxed handling of conflicts as they arise, especially when children need the teacher’s immediate attention and support during class. When a teacher has a rushed, overwhelmed, or impatient style, the teacher tends to use a negative tone of voice, is hurried, or reacts negatively to the children’s signs of stress or rising tension. In contrast, a teacher who uses a relaxed and calm style keeps a positive tone of voice, does not rush, is relaxed and patient when interacting, and responds calmly amidst stress or rising tension in the classroom.
Category: Category 2: Teacher-Child Interactions
Subcategory: Warm and Responsive Style
Examples
In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.
Video Example
This teacher takes her time explaining the activity and modeling how to share writing aloud. She does not rush the child, and she shows interest by asking questions and bringing attention to the details in the drawing. The teacher remains patient as she facilitates conversations between the children.
Age(s): Preschool, School-age
Activity
As the teacher reads aloud, she pauses to ask questions and talk with the children; she does not rush to finish the book. Her tone is consistently positive as she reads, talks, and makes believe with the children. Her relaxed and patient style makes the children feel comfortable as they build and explore their “nest.”
Age(s): Toddler
Video Example
In the recording, teachers demonstrate having a patient, relaxed style to facilitate conversations between children as they teach them to negotiate, problem-solve, and communicate with each other throughout the school day.
Age(s): Toddler, Preschool
Video Example
This Texas Rising Star exemplar video showcases teachers of all age groups maintaining calm in the classroom. The teachers use positive voice tones, are patient and demonstrate a relaxed style as conflicts arise and children need support.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Video Example
This caregiver’s responsiveness and positive tone of voice make the activity fun for the babies. Her relaxed style and ability to adjust based on children’s needs and interests keep the babies calm as they play with the stacking cups.
Age(s): Infant
Practice Opportunities
These resources include tips, strategies, activities, or specific tools related to this measure that programs can put into practice.
Publication
In this publication from Childcare Services, practitioners are given insightful ways to work with infants in classroom settings. The document suggests ways caregivers can create calm and structured childcare environments by responding warmly to babies and having a patient and relaxed style.
Age(s): Infant
