Using Skilled Dialogue to Transform Challenging Interactions

How can we respond to children's behaviors, especially challenging ones, in ways that nurture their spirits and sense of self while simultaneously supporting appropriate and competent participation in social interactions and situations? All too often, it seems that these 2 goals cannot be simultaneously addressed, especially with children whose behavior is perceived to be particularly difficult. In ""Nurturing Spirit and Positive Behavior in Diverse Early Childhood Settings"", the authors suggest the use of Skilled Dialogue (a field-tested model for respectful, reciprocal, and responsive interaction that honors cultural beliefs and values) as a tool for achieving the nurturing of both spirit and self.The book discusses behavior in terms of culturally-based practices and how to use Skilled Dialogue to implement positive intervention and behavior support from both a developmental and cultural viewpoint. It focuses on nurturing children's sense of self as a guide to understanding and building positive behavioral supports. The book also describes strategies for the classroom and offers explicit guidance, examples, and tools for practitioners.