St. Catherine of Siena Preschool strives to teach problem-solving skills so that children learn to avoid disputes as well as to resolve them.  Teachers guide children in social and communication skills with the goal of self-discipline in mind.  When children learn to express their feelings and recognize the feelings of others, they are able to make socially acceptable choices in their behavior.

Adults communicate with kindness and respect and teach the children to do the same; they enable the children to form relationships with adults and other children and to communicate their needs and wishes.

Biting, hitting, bad language, taking off clothes, kicking, spitting, pinching are not permitted in the classroom or on the playground.  When such an incident occurs, teachers or assistants will remind the child of the classroom rules for behavior and model ways for the child to use his/her words to communicate his/her needs.  Teachers will document behavior in an effort to find a means to correct the situation.  Teachers will be in contact with parents on a regular basis so they can work together to help the children respect the rights and feelings of others.

There are times when judicious, respectful limits must be enforced.  At that time, the teacher will conference with parents.  It may be suggested that parents remove the child from the group setting for a period of time to help the child realize the consequences of his/her actions.  During this time teachers will be in touch with parents to find a system of behavior modification which will help the child to be successful when he/she returns to the classroom.