At The Baby Vine, behavior guidance is a way of setting boundaries and expectations and can have a positive focus for all involved. The Baby Vine created the House Agreement, which is a set of behavior guidelines that stem from a nurturing, safe, and respectful position. As clients, all families enrolled must agree upon these guidelines as a way of setting universal expectations while demonstrating collaborative support and follow through. Again, this approach implies good outcomes are encouraged and expected.
Behavior guidance will be age and developmental stage appropriate to the individual child and positive reinforcement will always be given. For all observed behavior, the child will receive in-the-moment recognition or guidance for redirection that ties directly to the House Agreement. When the child does not follow the agreed-upon guidelines, the guidelines themselves offer a direct explanation as to why the observed behavior is not okay. These moments can be used as a teaching opportunity where the individual is set-up for future successful outcomes and well-being. This form of behavior guidance offers a positive focus such as “you are kind to others” (actions and words), “you will be safe” (towards self, others, and the environment), and "you are respectful" (towards self, others, and the environment).
