How Important Is The Bond Between Educator And Child In An Early Childhood Setting?
How Important is the Bond Between Educator and Child in an Early Childhood Setting?
Early Childhood Development Theorist Lev Vygotsky believes “……children learn with the guidance and assistance of those in their environment.”
Educators use children’s interests and incorporate their own teachings to plan engaging play-based learning environments for the children. While these encourage child development, it is the relationship with their Educators that measures the success of these curriculums.
Forming positive relationships with their Educators based on trust, kindness, understanding and acceptance will:
- build a child’s self-esteem
- help them to create their own identity
- enhance their confidence.
- Support children to regulate their emotions
- Help to connect and build relationships in life
- Build resilience
- Give them a sense of security, well-being and belonging
Once a child feels safe and secure in these strong relationships, then they will have the confidence to explore the world around them because they know that their Educators are there to support, encourage and share new experiences with them.
Educators use lots of different ways to build their relationships between themselves and the children in the care. These include but are not limited to having a positive attitude, showing compassion, acknowledging children’s emotions, providing a safe and fun learning environment and celebrating milestones and achievements with children.
How Can Parents Help Their Child Form These Positive Relationships with Their Educators?
Families play a vital role in assisting and encouraging the bond between child and Educator. Through open communication and positive interactions with their child’s Educator, the child will see that the parent/guardian is building a positive and trusting relationship with the Educators. Children will form stronger bonds with Educators that their parents are confident and comfortable with.
Having discussions when your child is collected about their day, hanging up their piece of artwork that they made with their Educator on the fridge or even having a photo of your child with their Educator up in the house will see that Educator become ‘a member of the family’, someone who they can also rely on for security and love.
