Page 2 - LESSION 10.pmd

Care of Children in Early Years

are provided by parenting and the nurturing home environment. Children are
able to form relationships by consistent and continuous presence of caregivers
who talk, feed, play and tend to give love and care. It is imperative to ensure
Notes
quality childcare as it has direct impact on how children will learn and build
healthy relationships. Let us understand the key principles of caregiving.

Principle 1: Supportive and Responsive Environment

A supportive environment and responsive care provides a secure base and routine
for children who are completely dependent on caregivers for all sensory
interactions. Regular response for feeding, bodily needs and tactile comfort are
primary needs of children. Besides physical care, any secure relationship will
help them regulate their emotions and behaviour.

Principle 2: Responsive Relationships and Strong Life Skills
Caregivers promote healthy brain development and protect children from anxiety
and uncertainty by giving them warmth and through interactions. Caregiving
practices must include eye contact with children and pleasant gestures or a hug
every time they babble, cry etc. This helps form new neural connections in the
brain leading to acquisition of better cognitive abilities and socio-emotional skills.
Children must slowly develop independence in performing various tasks and
activities. In this process, caregivers must establish routines, organise activities
that foster creative play and model social behaviour so that children can exercise
their developing skills. This helps children cope with stress, build curiosity and
develop a will for constructive work as well as a desire for building social
relationships.

Principle 3: Reduce Sources of Stress
Reducing stress implies responding to children on demand, reaching out with
multi- sensorial interactions such as audio, visual, sense of touch, suckling
experiences and kinaesthetic experiences. Leaving children alone or ignoring
them can create disturbance and obstruct their growth and development. It is
important for caregivers to protect children from external loud noise, disturbing
visuals and harsh fast movements thus, keeping them away from any form of
stress.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 10.1

State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. Children are not affected by their external environment.
2. Children gain from things to see, hear and feel from the time of birth.
3. Anxiety and stress can impact later learning among children.
4. Primary relation for children is significant for emotional wellbeing.
5. Physical care of children is a primary need as it may affect other areas of
development.
2 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION