Mistaken Behavior 

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A new way to think about “misbehavior” is “mistaken behavior.” Just knowing about this concept is likely to make you feel a lot better about guiding a child through difficult situations. Everyone makes mistakes, and the important thing to do is learn from them.​ The concept of mistaken behavior provides a different perspective of children’s behavior. Children are at the beginning of a lifelong learning process and making mistakes is part of the process. Taking the perspective of mistaken behavior requires recognizing that children are learning how to interact and adapt to the world. Part of the early childhood teacher’s responsibility is to guide children’s learning and behavior.  

Just as children make mistakes in learning activities, they will make mistakes in interacting with other children, following rules, or making decisions; it is the teacher’s role to guide the child in learning to choose acceptable behaviors and make thoughtful decisions. The concept of mistaken behavior is compatible with the emphasis of positive guidance methods that include problem solving, natural and logical consequences, and redirection. (Gartell) ​ 

Misbehavior

• Implies willful wrong doing for which a child must be disciplined or punished.
• Children can internalize the negative label of the behavior and will start to feel negative about themselves. 

Mistaken behavior reminds us:

• Children are just at the beginning of a lifelong learning process. (in the process of learning we all make mistakes)​

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Optional Resource for Further Study

• Parenting Video: The Four Mistaken Goals of Misbehavior (Video Lesson by Susie Walton)
• ​What to do When Toddlers Bite,  Hand in Hand Parenting
• ​“It’s Mine!” All About Sharing, Hand in Hand Parenting
• ​Backbone and Bounce: Building Resilience​, Hand in Hand Parenting
• When to Seek Outside Help for Children’s Problem Behavior,  The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
• Using Choice and Preference to Promote Improved Behavior. (CSEFEL)​
• Helping Children with Aggression, by Patty Wipfler​​
• Deep sense of connection comes from very few words​, Hand in Hand Parenting
• Why is My Child Behaving This Way? (A Checklist),  Janet Lansbury ​

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Factors and Influences
3. Environmental Factors
4. Developing Social Behavior
5. Positive Social Characteristics
6. Fostering Positive Social 
7. Social Behavior (1/5)
8. Communication and Interactions  

9. Talking with Children (2/5)
10. Communication Strategies
11. Teaching and Personal Beliefs
12. Personal Beliefs (3/5)
13. Teaching Styles
14. Direct and Indirect Guidance 
15. Defining Guidance Terms
16. Mistaken Behavior 

17. Mistaken Behavior (4/5)
18. Causes of Behavioral Issues
19. Prevention: Indirect Guidance
20. Direct Guidance Techniques
21. End of Course Quiz (5/5)
22. Course Evaluation Form​
Parking Lot
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