Unit 054 Outcome 1 1.1 Duty of care in my work role as a play worker is to ensure the safety of the children in my care by helping the child to develop as an individual and cope with any potential dangers they may face within the setting. I am to promote a healthy immune system by ensuring healthy food is available to the child. I am there to listen to the child, and learn to understand what the child wants and needs. 1.2 In my setting we have a duty of care to safeguard children, we do this by: • Completing risk assessments and implementing procedures to avoid potential hazards that could injure or harm the children. • All staff follow a set of rules for the setting where certain behaviours are not acceptable and we have strategies in place to discourage behaviour which may harm or distress others.
This can be done using SEAL lessons and SEAL groups. We run social groups where children are encouraged to talk and work out strategies on dealing with behaviours and problems they might have. We follow time to talk programmes to develop communication skills and retracking programmes for children who may need to reflect on any problems they may have had that week, this involves finding strategies so that it doesn’t happen again. We are lucky to have a team of play therapists that take small groups of children with issues once a week. All classrooms have posters promoting positive behaviours and feelings.
Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers. Ensure you give regular feedback to teachers on children's achievement, progress, problems etc. promote good behaviour, dealing appropriately with conflict and incidents in line with policy and procedures and encourage children to take responsibility for there own behaviour. Accompanying the children on school trips and out of school activities as required Provide clerical/admin support such as photocopying, typing, filing, money etc. Undertake children's record keeping as requested.
The observer will either mimic or avoid the actions based on the consequences that the person who initially performed the action received. This can be a very useful tool in the development of child rearing. Through observational learning, children learn valuable life-skills at a very young age. Child rearing, otherwise known as parenting, is teaching and nurturing of a child from birth until adulthood. Children learn a lot during this time from watching others, especially their parents.
Children’s play is a skill in which the therapists have mastered due to their use of play on a daily basis. Furthermore, the play environment is one in which they feel safe and comfortable. As adults use verbal communication as their direct way of self-expression, children use play as their form self-expression. I had once read somewhere that “toys are a child’s words and play is their language.” I believe that is an excellent description of a child’s world. Play therapists believe that the best way to diagnosis and treat children’s emotional and behavioral issues is to engage children in imaginary play, as children play out their daily life experiences through their most utilized and comfortable form of self-expression, which is play.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PEDAGOGY The term pedagogy refers to the holistic nature of early childhood educators’ professional practice (especially those aspects that involve building and nurturing relationships), curriculum decision-making, teaching and learning. When educators establish respectful and caring relationships with children and families, they are able to work together to construct curriculum and learning experiences relevant to children in their local context. These experiences gradually expand children’s knowledge and understanding of the world. Educators’ professional judgements are central to their active role in facilitating children’s learning. In making professional judgements, they weave together their: • professional knowledge and skills • knowledge of children, families and communities • awareness of how their beliefs and values impact on children’s learning • personal styles and past experiences.
Language development is encouraged by learning centers as children verbalize their activities and interact with peers. Learning centers help teachers follow developmentally appropriate practice by providing materials which children can use according to their individual development (Pattillo, 1992, pp 12-13 ). Teachers must guide the learning process, using scaffolding techniques to keep children actively engaged. Vygotsky's theory of the zone of proximal development posits that learning occurs only when children are supported in appropriately challenging activities (Follari, 2007, pp 39-40). Teachers must also observe and make assessments regularly, modifying the environment as needed to enhance integrated development of all domains.
My philosophy on Early Childhood Education I believe as a teacher, I am responsible for providing young children with a positive learning experience. I strive to be a positive role model for the children left in my care, and in the community I serve. Children have the right to have their needs meet, to have a positive learning experience while in the care of their caregivers. Children learn what they live, and I have the opportunity while working with these children on a daily basis to teach them how to respect one another, by leading by example. You can teach them patients by showing them patients.
Observations require carers to: > tune in - to look and listen carefully to what children so and how they do it. Listen to what children say and be aware of their body language. Look at facial expressions - they will reveal feeling e.g whether the task is frustrating or enjoyable > Gather Incidental Information - much of the information you gather about children's development will be acquired incidentally as you are working with the children throughout the day. Try to make a habit of keeping a notepad and pen handy to jot down information > Be conscious of why you are observing - e.g. you may be seeking specific information about the child or a group of children; you may be assessing how children use particular equipment or play spaces; or you may be assessing how children manage routines.
These young kids have influence me to do better for myself and to encourage others to do better for them. When you give kids a little bit of guidance you can lay down the foundations to their future. By guiding through the rough times at school and some of the issues that they may be having at home. This has influence me to help out the younger generation by helping in other ways outside the school. When have someone by your side to guide you through everything you can make a huge impact by telling them the do’s and don’ts of life.