One of the recognised principles that practitioners are required to have is ensuring the welfare of the child. For examples this includes treating the children fairly and to respect the child. The welfare of the child is paramount as the children and parents need to know that their child is safe. This includes preventing accidents, protecting the child from abuse and the adult remaining responsible and in control of every situation while respecting the child.
Working in partnership with parents and families is another principle/value that childcare workers need to have. This includes sharing all relevant information with parents and showing respect for their wishes by ensuring that parent’s wishes are complied with. This prevents workers from over taking the parents role and allowing the parent to have a say in their child’s learning. Furthermore if a child requires additional support in a particular area, the practitioner could communicate through the parents and assist the child e.g. if there is an area that the child is struggling in the parents and practitioner can work together to ensure the child is getting support both in school and at home.
Sharing information with parents regarding their child’s progress, will allow the child to learn and develop. Increasing the child’s learning and development is a key value that underpins working with children as children learn most in their early years. Therefore care and education at this stage is very important. Planned activities should be based on children’s interest and abilities. The activities should encourage development in different areas and children’s input should be valued. Valuing the child’s input will increase the child’s s confidence and self esteem. This is supported by Penny Tassoni as she states that ‘good communication requires that children believe that others will be interested in what they have to say and will give them time to listen. Children therefore need plenty of opportunities to talk with adults and gain communication skills and confidence’. Penny Tassoni et al, 2007, CACHE level 3 Child Care and Education, 4th Edition, Heinemann, Oxford P.550
E6 Describe three professional skills that will support your work with children.
Good communication is also an important skill which is required when working with children. Communication can be verbal, non – verbal, written or pictorial. Being able to communicate effectively with children is very important. You should always go down to the child’s level, use a soft tone of voice, you should always show interest, use good body language, make eye contact and use good hand gestures. You need to communicate well with children and young people because it makes them feel safe and secure, you can understand their personalities and needs and to find out whether they are sad, happy, excited etc.
Penny Tassoni states ‘ body language is important because it sends out messages to other people and so makes a different in terms of relationships and communication skill’. Penny Tassoni et al, 2007, CACHE level 3 Child Care and Education, 4th Edition, Heinemann, Oxford,P.13.
D2
Penny Tassoni states ‘a multi – agency approach is also helpful as professionals can share knowledge about the family’s needs with each other so that parents do not need to be asked the same questions over and over again’. Penny Tassoni et al, 2007, CACHE level 3 Child Care and Education, 4th Edition, Heinemann, Oxford, P.11.
by
shinka (student)
