Answer to Question 1
There are a number of reasons why children come to early childhood education environments with challengingbehavior s. Children may have issues in their families, or have health conditions or disorders such as AD/HD that directly contribute to behavioral difficulties. These behaviors may related to young age and developmental capabilities or lack of them. Children may have difficult temperaments and have a hard time coping in groups. They may not be getting enough sleep (Kurcinka, 2007). Children may be competing for attention, even if it comes from negative behaviors (Logue, 2006). They may have attachment issues or be affected by the degree of time spent in early childhood education environments (Kaiser &Rasminsky, 2007). Children may also be experiencing stress regarding issues of cultural differences and need for social supports that may be lacking in their early childhood education environment.
Answer to Question 2
Communication with the families is vitally important and should be a priority. The teacher should practice cultural competency on an ongoing basis. Children represent a wide variety of different family structures, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and experiences. The teacher can initiate activities that promote the integration of diversity and cultural competence into the early childhood education environment. The teacher should access and use community resources that will help provide a greater degree of health and well-being for the children andfamilies that he or she works with. A welcoming atmosphere in the early childhood education environment can engage families and encourage them to participate.