Page 12 - LESSION 10.pmd

Care of Children in Early Years

10.6.3 Children and their Perceptions of Caregiving Practices

Children do not have a wide repertoire of expressive vocabulary, yet they convey
Notes their discomforts and unpleasant experiences by either being irritable or crying

without apparent reason. In fact, both teachers and parents can help relieve stress
among children by sensitive responses to children’s display of unusual actions.
Let us understand by the following example:

"A child was chronologically 18 months but had the appearance and competencies
of about eight months only. The child would shudder and shake at the slightest
sound or noise and make no attempt to reach for any adult. The caregiver noticed
that when she tried to feed the boy milk, he resisted. On coaxing, he responded.
By the end of the day, the child snuggled in the caregiver's lap and in the days to
follow, got attached to her. He started sitting with more confidence and soon
with consistent guidance began to stand with support and within four months,
the child was thriving and was quick to catch up with age-appropriate behaviours."

This example illustrates the three principles of care of children under three. This
also explains that early intervention and early detection can help children thrive.
The child was lagging behind from conception to the time he came to the centre.
He was developing stress as there was no communication to address his distress
and anxiety. Sensitive staff can do wonders to the wellbeing of children.

In other social contexts also, children can gain by interventions of sensitive and
responsive adults in home or school settings. Parents and teachers need to function
as a team and not in opposition to each other. Children come home and are eager
to talk. That is the time that parents should listen, try and understand the nature
of their experiences. If two or three- year old children say, “I did nothing at
school,” or “I did not get my turn,” or “Teacher does not smile. I want teacher to
smile at all children,” they are actually providing a review of the care centre, the
environment as well as the caregiver’s disposition. Children are active, alert and
make meanings in their own ways. Adults need to acknowledge and appreciate
these meanings made by children.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

• Incredible growth takes place in all domains of development during early
years. Nurturing home environment is essential for bringing positive
developmental outcomes.
• A supportive and responsive environment, responsive relationships and strong
life skills and reduce sources of stress are the key principles of caregiving.
• There are some basic ways to ensure growth, survival and development of
children.

12 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION