The Georgia Early Learning Standards Activity Guides may - gapitc

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Individual Greetings
As each child enters the classroom each day, make time for a personal one-onone
greeting.
Bend down to the child’s level and make eye contact.
Invite the child to choose a way they would like to greet you.
They could choose a hug, a high five, a hand wave, a big smile, rubbing cheeks, or
any creative greeting you teach them or they teach you!
As you greet them, say, “Hello, (child’s name), I’m glad to see you today. Do you
have a special hello for me?”
Cultural Tip
With physical contact it is important to take your cues from
children. Some families and cultures are comfortable with lots
of physical contact and others are not. Even within the same
cultural group, individual children will have different preferences
for physical contact.
Calming the Upsets
When one of your toddlers becomes upset due to a fall, a disagreement over a
toy, or fatigue, go over to them as soon as possible.
Stoop down to face them or bring them to a low chair where you can look in
their face.
Use words that express what the child is feeling.
Say, for example, “You feel mad when Becca takes your toy. Would you like me
to hold you until you feel better?” or “That hurt when you fell and bumped your
head. I will hold you until you feel better.”
When the child stops crying and her body relaxes, say, “I can tell you are feeling
calm now.” or “Let’s get a Band Aid for your scrape.”
Encourage your toddlers to come to one of the adults in the classroom for
calming support and then help them get involved in another activity.