Relationships mind map

Brain Development

Attachment Theory

Self Regulation

By developing a basic trust we can build a better relationship with the family and child. If we get to know the parent and make them feel welcome it will be easier for them to leave their child. Likewise if we have a strong relationship with the child they will be more comfortable helping the parent to realize their child enjoys being in our care.

If for example if we notice a child begins to act out when the classroom becomes overly noisy or chaotic, we can adjust the activity in the classroom to make it more tolerable for that child. If they are over stimulated at times they may feel out of control. By observing this behavior we can make the necessary adjustments to the classroom. We can share this information with the parents and see if they too have noticed this at home. If we have established good communication we can also have the parent offer any suggestions they have found to work for them at home and vice versa.

Attachment theory teaches us that having a deep emotional connection is necessary for a child’s optimal development.

A child’s brain is rapidly developing when they are infants and toddlers, making their earliest experiences vitally important to their well-being.

As a child begins to self-regulate, they are learning how to control their impulses, whether it be to stop doing something or to start doing something.

As a child’s brain develops they will become increasingly curious about us and their environment. We can help parents to feel more comfortable by creating a safe and secure environment. As the child becomes more and more active and learns new things we can share in the parent’s joy.

As a childcare provider we are also going to be more aware if a child’s brain development is not where is should be. This would be something that you would want to approach very delicately, but if you have a strong relationship with the family it will be easier. The parents will hopefully appreciate your concern and you can work together to help the child. Because of your experience the parents will rely on the information you provide them.

We can help a child develop their independence and begin to self sooth. If a child knows that we are there to satisfy their needs, they will also learn that we cannot be there at all times and they will begin to figure things out on their own. We can work with the parents if we have a trusting relationship, and the parents can see that we have the child’s best interest at heart. We can express to the parents how proud we are of their child and the fact that are figuring new things out each day.

Being attentive to each child’s individual needs will help to create a less stressful transition from home to childcare. By understanding how the parent cares for the child at home, for example the baby prefers to be burped sitting up rather than resting on the shoulder, we can do the same helping the child to feel more at home in our care. The parent will also see this as a step in caring for their child’s specific needs.

Having an understanding that it is difficult for any parent to leave a child in a relative strangers care for the first time, we can empathize with the parent and help them to realize that they are not alone in their concern. We can also reassure them by being compassionate with their child, if they can see we genuinely care for their child they will be more at ease.

If we have a good understanding of where the child development should be we can make sure the child is stimulated and by sharing what we are doing in the classroom the parents can be trying the same activities at home. If we are working on “tummy time” or learning the sign for “milk” we can also teach the parents and that will increase our partnership and the child will benefit from the continued learning.

As a child begins to learn how to manage their impulses we can help them to do this by being attentive when they are truly in need of something. If they are crying because they are hungry we can act quickly to feed them, by knowing their schedule and being prepared. We can work closely with the parents to learn their schedule and tweak the schedule as the child develops and grows.

Resources

http://www.healthofchildren.com/A/Attachment-Between-Infant-and-Caregiver.html

http://www.zerotothree.org

http://www.toolsofthemind.org

http://www.abilitypath.org

Relationships mind map

Lauren Emmanuelli