May 2010

Education:
Early Childhood Education Algonquin College Psychology Carleton University MA Education University of Sherbrooke

Practice:
25+ years in early learning, child care, family support and community-based social service programs. Faculty at Heritage College Mother of two teenagers. Avid gardener

Home Child Care Provider: Challenges Faced

Caregivers often struggle to articulate the difficulties of their work There is a general lack of understanding about the nature of caregiving.

Over the years, I have heard people dismiss the work as "babysitting or undervaluing the difficulties of the work by simply saying needs lots of patience."

These comments and attitudes prevent the general public from appreciating the complexity of the work.
The real work of caregivers is obscured by the public perception "that anyone can do it." Caregivers may feel isolated by the lack of public comprehension of the real issues that they face.

Feminist scholars and researchers have called attention to the silence that typically surrounds women's work.

Let us examine the incredible role caregivers make in the life of children..

Babies, children, and adults alike need a secure base, a base of connectedness and caring, from which to grow and develop.
As we grow older we continue to need a sense of emotional connection; it is vital to acknowledge the dependence we have on each other.

Mary Catherine Bateson, an anthropologist interested in children, says:

Human infants survive only if they receive loving

care. The memory of that care remains as a basis for the ability to give and receive care.

The development of healthy emotional lives for children doesnt just happen;
It is a process that begins during the first days of life and continues to flourish through the early years and beyond.

Consists of:
good self-concept and self-esteem the ability to express and manage feelings the ability to empathize with others the ability to negotiate and problemsolve

What does attachment have to do with developing healthy emotions in children? What does attachment mean?

Attachment develops out of responsive interactions with a primary caregiver a parent or any other long-term care provider.
When a child views a person or persons as a secure base, they are able to explore their world knowing that it is a relatively safe place and that they are protected from those things that may be viewed as unsafe.

The interactions they experience with trusted people are;

relatively consistent comforting predictable over time.

From these relationships, the child learns that:

I am understood, I am secure and safe.

Children who, as infants, have secure attachments with their primary caregiver(s), demonstrate greater social and exploratory competence than do insecurely attached children.

Insecure attachment.
What happens when there is no consistent pattern of positive interactions? The childs sense of mastery is certainly diminished. If he has learned that his needs are not understood or responded to, he feels he has no ability to impact on his world.

The world, therefore, becomes unpredictable and chaotic and he may respond to it that way.
It is difficult for him to learn about his own feelings when no one has conveyed understanding of them to him. To take the next larger leap to understanding the feelings of others is a monumental task.

His self-concept is also thwarted as he learns that no one listens; he internalizes this to mean I am not worthy.
Children may test this theory or negative image of themselves over and over again by provoking the people around them and thus completing a circle of rejection.

Does all this sound grim?

No.not when we examine the unique position that caregivers are in to effect change in childrens and families lives. The opportunity exists to support the development of positive and responsive interactions between caregiver and child, child and parent, and parent and caregiver.

Some strategies - How child care providers can assist in healthy attachment and positive emotional growth.
These strategies can be applied to any early childhood environment, whether insecure attachments are suspected or not.

Constancy of caregiver is important for every child but particularly for those with insecure attachments. Interrupt the circle of rejection by demonstrating that the childs anger will not drive you away. Stay with their anger by allowing it to be vented but by containing destructive or hurtful action. Attempt to interpret feelings. For example, I wonder if you are feeling sad.

Build in one-to-one time in which you play with the child on the floor on a daily basis. Keep the environment consistent. For example, do no move the furniture and toys around frequently. Always have the child sit in the same place at lunchtime. Establish sleeping, eating and bathroom routines. Try to stick to a daily schedule. Preview with children what routine or activity is coming up.

Making a sequence chart of the days events with pictures can help concretely identify what is going to happen next. Prepare the children for changes in an established routine. Provide cozy and private spaces in the room so children have a chance to get away from the bustle of the playroom. Adopt supportive behaviour guidance techniques in which feelings are addressed.

Place pictures of the child with family members around the room at child level or in an accessible book. Take time throughout the day to comment on who is in the pictures. Play peek-a-boo with the pictures. Comment on where parents are throughout the day and what they might be doing eg. "mommy is at work. Comment on parents missing their children when they are apart. Use toy telephones to have pretend conversations with parents.

Ask parents to write a brief note to their child to keep in their pocket during the day, such as eg. mommy back a 4" or I love you. Play peek-a-boo games to practise the idea of going-away-and-coming back. Even preschool children enjoy this game. Make real phone calls between the child and parent.

Ask parents to tape record favourite stories or songs and play them at daycare. Allow children to keep something of their parents with them during the day, such as a scarf. Allow children to bring special toys or comfort objects from home.

Keep them in charge. Ask them simple caretaking questions, like Do you want Jimmy to wear his snow pants today? Convey the message that they are the expert on their childs needs. Be sure to tell parents when children talk about them during the day. Make phone calls to parents to tell them the good things.

Be sure the parent gives the child a proper goodbye and explain how important it is for their child. Assure them that any upset is usually temporary.

Help build excitement when the parent arrives at the end of the day. Explain to parents that lots of children have difficulty making the transition from daycare to home. Help parents to enjoy their children.

Invite them to sit at the play-dough table with their child. Any opportunity that helps you to teach the parent how to play will benefit the relationship.

Video Clips MARY AINSWORTH: ATTACHMENT AND THE GROWTH OF LOVE

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3634664472704568591#

Child care providers welcome and cherish children unconditionally. They respect the dignity of children, parents, colleagues and others with whom they interact.

Remember.

The development of healthy, happy and emotionally secure children doesnt just happen;
It is a process that begins during the first days of life

and continues to flourish through the early years and beyond.

Home child care providers help build secure, happy children who grow to be caring and responsible adults!
Keep up the great work!

Uffelmann, S. (2009). Madame Vanier Childrens Services, London, Ontario: Supporting Childrens Attachment. www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htm