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Acknowledgement Liz Hodgman

CHILDREN’S NEEDS

Children need sensitive, knowledgeable adults who know when and how to engage their interest and how to offer support at different times.

It is a natural instinct to become involved in the activities with the children, showing them how to use the toys and demonstrating what they can do. However sometimes it is better to sit back and observe the children, allowing them to explore and experiment for themselves. Children learn far more from being able to experiment and make mistakes.  Personal, Social and Emotional Development  states:

‘Make sure there is time and space for children to concentrate on activities and experiences and to develop their own interests.’  

 

A good Childminder will be sensitive to each child’s abilities and know when a baby or child is becoming frustrated and needs support. ‘Give children time to try before intervening to support and guide them.’   They will also need to allow time for children to complete tasks in their own time. ‘Ensure that there is time for young children to complete a self-chosen task, such as trying to put on their shoes.’ This may require you to plan ahead, for example, asking the children to get ready for the afternoon school collection earlier than normal, thereby giving the children time to put on their own coats etc.

 

Children need to learn to resolve issues with their peers and this can be aided by sensitive childminders allowing children to discuss and resolve their own conflicts, only becoming involved if the children are becoming upset or aggressive towards each other.

 

Childminders need to support children to become independent especially with regards to physical activities and self care. This may involve the childminder providing different resources and aids to help the child to become independent, for example a potty, trainer seat and stool.

 

Children benefit from a range of experiences, including those that are predictable, comforting and challenging.

Have you noticed that children choose the same storybook for you to read to them, again and again? The children know the story and the pictures so well, but feel safe in repeating the activity. It is predicable and comforting to them.

There is nothing wrong in reading the book again and again, but plan how you can extend the activity so that out of the familiar the children can have the opportunity to learn and develop. This could be by introducing story-telling props, involving the children in the storytelling with puppets and cuddly toys.

Children like routines and being able to return to familiar activities, such as sand and water play. By introducing different pots, waterwheels, colours, bubbles, hiding things in the sand etc the children’s learning can be challenged.

Children enjoy the sense of achievement when completing a lift out tray puzzle or one with a few pieces, even if they have done it several times before. A good practitioner will give the children the opportunity to do the simple puzzles and achieve and then to challenge and support them to try harder ones, thereby extending their learning and development.

Invite parents and children to bring ideas and activities in from home, this will help children who are finding it difficult to settle and adjust.

 

When children’s physical and emotional needs are met they are more ready to take advantage of the play and learning opportunities on offer.

Adults struggle to concentrate if they are feeling tired, hungry or thirsty. Children are just the same. A Childminder needs to ensure that children have had regular healthy meals and snacks, access to water/drinks at all times and the opportunity to rest and sleep. This will enable them to focus their energies on play and learning.

Ensuring the children are also appropriately dressed for the activity that they are undertaking and the weather. If a child is over dressed and too hot they will become irritable and tired. If they are worrying about getting their clothes messy with paint/glue etc they may be reluctant to become involved in the activity. If they don’t have the right outdoor clothes then they may not wish to play outdoors, for example raincoat and wellies, umbrellas, sunhats etc.

 

Children need to feel secure in their environment and with their childminder in order to develop and learn. A baby is far more likely to learn to walk if they have a pair of arms outstretched to them from a supportive carer. A child that is given praise and encouragement for his/her efforts as well as achievements is more likely to try out new activities and experiences, knowing they will be supported.