Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.13: Support children with additional needs
Learning outcome: Be able to support the additional needs of children
Assessment criteria: Work with parents/carers in a way which encourages them to take an active role in their child’s play, learning and development
As an early years practitioner, it is essential to create a strong relationship with the child’s parents/carers. An important part of this relationship is encouraging parents/carers to take an active role in their child’s play, learning, and development. This blog post will discuss some strategies that early years practitioners can use to foster parent/carer involvement in these areas.
The first strategy is education. Parents/carers should be provided with resources that help them understand their child’s current stage of development, as well as what they should expect from their child at different developmental stages. They should also have access to information about how they can best support their child’s development through play and learning activities. Providing parents/carers with this knowledge helps them feel more confident in their ability to help their children reach their full potential.
Another strategy is communication. It is important for practitioners to regularly communicate with parents/carers about their child’s progress and needs. This communication can take the form of one-on-one conversations, emails, phone calls or text messages – whatever works best for the particular family dynamic. The key is to keep lines of communication open so that parents/carers feel comfortable asking questions and expressing any concerns they have about their child’s progress or well-being.
Finally, practitioners should strive to create an environment where parents/carers are welcomed into the setting and actively encouraged to get involved in activities alongside their children. These activities could include helping out during snack time, joining storytelling sessions or even attending field trips together! When parents/carers are given the opportunity to participate in activities alongside their children, it helps foster a sense of community within the setting and creates a stronger bond between parent/carer and practitioner.
Working with parents/carers in a way which encourages them to take an active role in their child’s play, learning, and development is an essential task for early years practitioners. By educating parents/carers on relevant topics related to children’s development, communicating regularly with families about what they need from the practitioner as well as creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome – practitioners can ensure that families are involved at every step of the way when it comes to supporting a child’s growth and success. With these strategies, practitioners can create strong relationships with all members of a family unit, ultimately leading towards positive outcomes for everyone involved!