Early Childhood Expert Offers Insight on Teaching Kids Critical Skills

On Tuesday, January 28^th at the Yavapai College Prescott campus, dozens of Yavapai College students, early childhood professionals and interested community members came together for a workshop presented by Jenna Bilmes, author of Beyond Behavior Management: The Six Life Skills Children Need. Bilmes, who also works as an instructional designer and early childhood consultant, spoke to the group about the impact the first five years have in determining the health, wellbeing, and future success of a child.

Early childhood is a rapidly developing field of research. “Decades ago, people weren’t as conscious of children’s needs as we are today,” said Bilmes.

Now, we know 90% of a child’s brain develops before the age of five. Critical skills like motivation, self-esteem, focus and self-discipline take root in these early years. Since successful people share these traits, children must be given the tools and experiences to develop these skills.  During her talk, Bilmes focused on the many ways adults can support children to develop the six social and emotional skills they need for life: attachment (relationship-building), belongingness, self-regulation, collaboration, contribution to others and adaptability. 

In order to build these skills, Bilmes said that the first and most important thing children need is a positive, loving relationship with parents and caregivers.  Relationships are the foundation upon which children develop, learn and grow. “Kids do better with adults that like them,” said Bilmes. “Your attention is the highest encouragement young children can receive.”

Author and Early Childhood Expert Jenna Bilmes

presenting at the Yavapai College Campus in Prescott

 

Bilmes also talked about dealing with children’s behavioral problems. Being a mother of two boys, Bilmes knows from experience that discipline can be one of the trickiest parts of caring for kids. “Relationship building is the best way to prevent behavior problems and improve children’s behavior,” she said. Bilmes also encouraged her audience to look for the causes of a child’s actions. “Children are not ‘being bad’ to make your life miserable,” Bilmes said. “Their behavior is trying to communicate something.”

Bilmes also said that it is important for adults to model positive behavior around children, teach them words to label their emotions, and teach them effective ways to cope with their feelings. “If we help kids get the skills they need, we don’t have to punish them for not having the skills they need,” Bilmes said. “We owe children love and acceptance.  That doesn’t mean that they do everything right, but they deserve what they need to learn and grow to their potential.”

This workshop was organized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Future Teacher’s Club at Yavapai College. For more information about the club and future events, please contact LeAnne Lawhead at Leanne.lawhead@yc.edu.