Above all else you need to like children and to enjoy being with them.
The main qualities needed when working with young children are; |
| Listening | attentive listening is a vital part of the caring relationship. Sometimes a child's real needs are communicated more by what is left unsaid than what is actually spoken. You need to be aware of the different forms of non-verbal communication when you are listening closely to children, watch out also for the way they stand or sit and their facial expression, as these give vital clues to a child's feelings. |
| Comforting | this has both a physical and an emotional meaning. Physical comfort may be provided by hugging a child who appears distressed. Holding their hand, listening and talking can all provide emotional comfort as well.
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| Empathy | this should not be confused with sympathy. Some people find it easy to appreciate how someone is feeling by imagining themselves in that person's position. A good way of imagining how a strange environment appears to a young child is to kneel on the floor and try to view it from a child's perspective. |
| Sensitivity | you need to be able to be aware of and to respond to the feelings and needs of another person. Being sensitive to others' needs means you can anticipate their feelings; for example, when a child's mother has been admitted to hospital or a pet dog has just died, you may need to be ready with a friendly hug or a few words to show that you understand and that you really care. |
| Patience | you need to be patient and tolerant of other people's methods of dealing with problems, even when you feel that your own way is better! For example, letting a child develop independence by dressing himself even when you need to hurry. |
| Respect | you need to be aware of a child's personal rights, dignity and privacy and must show this at all times; every child is unique and so your approach will need to take account of each child's individual needs. |
Interpersonal
Skills | a caring relationship is a two-way process. You do not have to like the child you are caring for, but being able to show warmth and friendliness helps to create a positive atmosphere and to break down barriers. Acceptance is important; you should always look beyond any disability or disruptive behaviour to recognise and accept the person. |
| Self-awareness | you can become a better early years worker if you can judge what effect your behaviour has on other people, and be willing to adapt. When you are working as part of a team, you need to be aware of how others see you and to be prepared to change your behaviour to help the team function well. You can become a better early years worker if you can judge what effect your behaviour has on other people, and be willing to adapt. When you are working as part of a team, you need to be aware of how others see you and to be prepared to change your behaviour to help the team function well. |
Coping with
stress | you need a great deal of energy when you are working in a caring profession; you need to be aware of the possibility of professional burn-out. In order to help others we must first help ourselves; the carer who never relaxes or develops any outside interests is more likely to suffer burn-out than the carer who finds his/her own time and space. |
Knowledge and
understanding | you need to have an understanding of child development and basic child care in order to promote children's all round development. |
Learning from
experience | it is important to continue to learn and grow as professionals: observing babies and children helps you to avoid making assumptions about a child and helps you to identify any special need a child may have. |
