GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:

Conversations between adults should be brief and pertinent to the situation at hand. Avoid talking about a child in his or her presence and don't make comparisons between children.  Learn the children's names and make sure they know yours.  Once you have the child's attention, speak to him/her at eye level in a quiet, natural manner. Make sure your facial expression and tone is friendly and reassuring.  Be positive.  Avoid power struggles and ask the teacher for help if you are having trouble dealing with a situation.  Encourage respect for the rights and property of others and the materials and equipment in the classroom.  Remember that you are the child's best example.  Encourage independence and self reliance.  Give children only as much help as they need instead of doing it for them.  Let children determine how much parent involvement they'd like; certainly interact and play with children, but be mindful of following their lead.  Except in real emergencies, give brief explanations for your requests, such as "Please get off the ladder so that we can fix it."  Give a child a choice only if you are prepared to accept his/her decision. Otherwise, offer no choice but simply make a statement of need: "It's clean up time now" rather than "Do you want to clean up?"  Remember, you are the teacher's assistant; she is relying heavily on you!  Be alert to her needs.  Find a way to engage a child's attention if he or she is distracting others during a story or circle time.  A trip to another part of the room for quiet play may help.  Make sure the child has enough time to finish an activity.