WAC 110-300-0325

(1) When communicating or interacting with children, an early learning provider 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 early learning 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 show 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 early learning program and society, including gender, age, language, and abilities, while being respectful of cultural traditions, values, religion and beliefs of enrolled families; and

(l) Interacting with staff and other adults in a positive, respectful manner.

(2) An early learning provider 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.