Understanding and guiding behaviour: The 6Rs Framework

This program will empower you to better understand and support children, particularly those who experience dysregulated behaviours, through the 6Rs Framework.

Higher rates of behavioural and emotional regulation are typically seen in educational contexts where children feel safe, secure and valued, where they can express their emotions within a climate of support and understanding, where educators feel capable and competent, and where children are engaged and active learners.

You will be introduced to the 6Rs Framework, which provides the overarching structure for the program. The 6Rs collectively speak to the importance of understanding why. You will learn why minimising environmental challenges can provide children with opportunities to develop resilience and to stay calm and in control; why support for children hinges on us being aware of children’s unique triggers; and why intentional, play-based pedagogies, child choice and opportunities for planning and problem-solving are essential components of effective early learning environments.

Following completion of this program, you will be empowered with knowledge and research evidence that will ensure a deeper understanding of the contexts that can affect children’s self-regulation and behaviour and a clearer lens around the strategies needed to support young children through times of challenge.

Learning outcomes:

Course 1: Introducing behaviour guidance and the 6Rs Framework

In this course, you will:

• identify that behaviour is a form of communication
• discover how to support children to express behaviour in safe and supportive environments
• understand the concept of the 6Rs Framework and how this Framework can be used to support your practice when guiding children’s behaviour.

Course 2: Relation and Respect
In this course, you will:

• discover the importance of strong and responsive relationships when guiding young children’s behaviour
• uncover the respect element of the Framework and the role of children’s agency
• unpack the concepts of emotional safety and emotional regulation and their importance in understanding and supporting behaviour
• explore strategies to empower children to feel emotionally secure
• identify ways to support young children’s emotions to promote emotional security.

Course 3: Regulation and Routes

In this course, you will:

• discover what self-regulation is and its importance in children’s learning and development
• explore key factors that can affect children’s self-regulatory development
• understand contexts that can affect children’s self-regulation and develop strategies to support young children through these challenging times
• discover how the brain impacts children’s behaviour and self-regulation
• examine the contexts that influence children’s self-regulatory capacities.

Course 4: Responses and Research

In this course, you will:

• understand why research underpins our practice and that it is a vital part of reflection and the foundation of the 6Rs Framework
• discover why rich and responsive learning environments support practice, assist children’s behavioural learning and build resilience
• examine the impact of environmental challenges and stress on children’s ability to stay calm and focused
• explore strategies across different learning domains to support children to be aware of triggers and plan for supportive play and learning environments across various contexts.

Duration: 4 hours, 1 hour per course