Section 110-302-0325 - Creating a climate for healthy child development(1) When communicating or interacting with children, ONB providers must maintain a climate for healthy, culturally responsive, child development such as: (a) Using a calm and respectful tone of voice;(b) Using positive language to explain what children can do and give descriptive feedback;(c) Having relaxed conversations with children by listening and responding to what they say. Adult conversations must not dominate the overall sound of the group;(d) Greeting children upon arrival and departure at the ONB program;(e) Using facial expressions such as smiling, laughing, and enthusiasm to match a child's mood;(f) Using physical proximity in a culturally responsive way to speak to children at their eye level and with warm physical contact including, but not limited to, gently touching a hand or shoulder, sitting next to a child, appropriately holding younger children close while communicating;(g) Validating children's feelings and showing tolerance for mistakes;(h) Being responsive and listening to children's requests and questions, encouraging children to share experiences, ideas, and feelings;(i) Observing children in order to learn about their families, cultures, individual interests, ideas, questions, and theories;(j) Modeling and teaching emotional skills such as recognizing feelings, expressing them appropriately, accepting others' feelings, and controlling impulses to act out feelings;(k) Representing the diversity found in the ONB program and society, including gender, age, language, and abilities, while being respectful of cultural traditions, values, religion and beliefs of enrolled families;(l) Interacting with staff and other adults in a positive, respectful manner; and(m) Encouraging the development of a caring relationship with the environment.(2) ONB providers must encourage positive interactions between and among children with techniques such as: (a) Giving children several chances a day to interact with each other while playing or completing routine tasks;(b) Modeling social skills;(c) Encouraging socially isolated children to find friends;(d) Helping children understand feelings of others; and(e) Including children with special needs to play with others.(3) Weather permitting, ONB providers must offer daily access to unobstructed natural light, including access to direct sunshine, to promote: (a) The body's natural absorption of Vitamin D; and(b) Healthy mental well-being and emotional development.Wash. Admin. Code § 110-302-0325
Adopted by WSR 23-10-059, Filed 5/1/2023, effective 6/1/2023