Pre-Service 2: Responsive Interaction and Guidance
Handout 4: Contrasting Views of the Same Behavior in Children
1. Consider the shift in perspective from the Negative View to the Competent View. Think
about your own interactions with children.
2. Are you consistently treating them with fairness and respect and viewing them from the
competent side of this chart?
Negative View
Competent View
The child has no idea of what is safe.
The child is an energetic explorer, tireless
experimenter, and dedicated scientist.
The child lacks patience.
The child is eager to learn from every
experience and interaction.
The child cannot keep his hands off of things.
The child is figuring out how to control his
behavior and look after himself, others, and
the world around him.
The child has temper tantrums.
The child is moving from dependence to
independence.
(Curtis and Carter 2011, p85)
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