Daycare Instituting a "Traffic Light" Punishment System

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is moving at the beginning of July into a new classroom at daycare. It's for 2.5 y.o.s and 3 y.o.s They just started a punishment system where at the end of the day all of the parents can look up and see whose kid was good and in the green, whose was ok and in the yellow and whose was bad and in the red. The punishment for being in the red is missed field trips, loss of snacks, etc.

Our kid has done well at this daycare (downtown center) and we like it a lot, but something rubs me the wrong way about this. Is it just me? DC is 2.5 y.o. and while we think punishment is fine, I'm just not sure about such a public display. Is this typical for preschool classes at daycare?

The only part of this I have a problem with is removing food as a punishment, unless it would be a special occasion food like a birthday treat that the whole class is getting. Otherwise, I would find a different punishment and not deprive him of his customary every-day snack.

[Anonymous]

"Flipping your card", "traffic lights", and "taking down your _______" all work beautifully with 4s and above. However, the consequence shouldn't be negative. When I taught kindergarten, all the kids who made it through the week without having to "flip their cards" got to choose something out of our treasure box. If parents looked, they could see which kids flipped their cards and which didn't. But beyond looking at their own kids' pocket, I don't think they carefully examined the entire chart.

Withholding food should absolutely never be used as a discipline strategy. In most states, withholding food as a form of punishment is against daycare licensing regulations.

[Anonymous]

Not only that {insert all of the very good posts about why this system SUCKS}. the truth is that young kids will misbehave EVERY DAY because that's what they do.

Meh.

The poor kids in that class. And the poor, stupid teachers. Yeah, I said it. There are great preschool teaches out there: I'm not sure you've found them, OP.

[Anonymous]

I would have a problem with it being a public display and there being punishment tied to it. I wouldn't have a problem seeing on my child's personal sheet from the day whether he had a green, yellow, or red day (we get one that details diaper changes, what food they ate, activities they did, etc.). I would want to be responsible for any consequences from that, though, and would do a positive reward for a week of green, for instance.

I think it is really important for parents to take the time to hear how even thier young ones are behaving at daycare. But this system for this age level seems inappropriate for me.

[Anonymous]

That is terrible for this age. A realistic consequence should be given immediately. A child should not feel excluded. Also,focus shouldbe on positive reinforcement, ways to increase positive behaviors,not punishment. I would takemy child out of thatdaycare immediately.

[Anonymous]

I think I most reacted to losing snacks and field-trips. this seems unnecessarily cruel. the public element of it is not good either

[Anonymous]

while i agree that maybe it is good for a child to not want their peers to see their behavior (not that I think one that age will grasp the concept) I wouldnt be keen on having other parents know who the bad ones are because most will then label those kids as problem kids and next thing you know, you have kids excluded from activities outside of school.

As for snacks, glad to hear it is only for special treats, because no daycare can use food as a punishment.