CDC Positive Guidance & Redirection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A toddler repeatedly throws toys across the room. Which redirection strategy is most appropriate?
- Ignore the behavior until it stops
- Offer a soft ball and say 'We throw balls outside' (Correct answer)
- Remove all toys from the child's reach
- Place the child in time-out immediately
Correct answer: Offer a soft ball and say 'We throw balls outside'
Offering an acceptable alternative while stating the rule teaches the child what they CAN do instead of just what they cannot do.
Question 2: What does 'natural consequence' mean in the context of positive guidance?
- A punishment decided by the caregiver
- The outcome that occurs naturally as a result of a child's action (Correct answer)
- A reward given after good behavior
- A logical rule set by daycare policy
Correct answer: The outcome that occurs naturally as a result of a child's action
Natural consequences are the direct, real-world outcomes of a child's behavior that occur without adult intervention.
Question 3: Which statement best describes 'logical consequences'?
- Punishments that are random and swift
- Outcomes directly related to the child's misbehavior that are imposed by the caregiver (Correct answer)
- Rewards given for positive behavior
- Consequences that happen without adult involvement
Correct answer: Outcomes directly related to the child's misbehavior that are imposed by the caregiver
Logical consequences are adult-imposed outcomes that are directly related to and make sense in the context of the misbehavior.
Question 4: A 4-year-old refuses to put on a coat before going outside in cold weather. What is the natural consequence?
- Loss of outdoor playtime
- Feeling cold outside (Correct answer)
- Having to sit apart from peers
- Being sent home early
Correct answer: Feeling cold outside
Feeling cold is the direct, naturally occurring result of not wearing a coat and requires no adult intervention.
Question 5: When using redirection, a caregiver should primarily focus on:
- Stopping the behavior as fast as possible
- Guiding the child toward an acceptable behavior (Correct answer)
- Documenting the incident thoroughly
- Calling the parents immediately
Correct answer: Guiding the child toward an acceptable behavior
Redirection's purpose is to steer the child toward appropriate behavior rather than simply stopping the current behavior.
Question 6: Which approach is an example of positive reinforcement?
- Taking away a privilege when a child misbehaves
- Praising a child when they share toys with a friend (Correct answer)
- Ignoring a child who is acting out for attention
- Removing a sticker from a chart after a rule violation
Correct answer: Praising a child when they share toys with a friend
Positive reinforcement involves adding something pleasant (praise) following a desired behavior to increase its recurrence.
Question 7: A child becomes aggressive when frustrated during group activities. The FIRST step a caregiver should take is to:
- Remove the child from the group permanently
- Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them calm down (Correct answer)
- Write an incident report immediately
- Discipline the child in front of peers as a deterrent
Correct answer: Acknowledge the child's feelings and help them calm down
Acknowledging feelings validates the child's emotions and creates the calm needed to guide them toward better responses.
CDC Positive Guidance & Redirection 2
A toddler repeatedly throws toys across the room.
Which redirection strategy is most appropriate?