As a parent, you want to know that your child is in safe hands when you leave them at childcare. Childcare is a place for children to develop a range of skills that can help set them up for success in the future. From communication and problem-solving to emotional intelligence and resilience, children will continue to draw and develop these skills throughout their lives.
Early childhood educators play a key role in helping children develop these key skills. But in order to support children in their development, they must first build a positive relationship with the children.
Read on to learn more about the importance of building positive relationships in childcare and the strategies educators use to connect with children.
Importance of building relationships with infants and toddlers in childcare
Educator-child relationships in childcare settings have a huge impact on the well-being of little ones while also playing a key role in their development. Ultimately, these early relationships with their educators and peers lay the foundation for their emotional and social development while setting them up for success throughout their schooling and into the future.
Infants and toddlers rely heavily on secure attachments with caregivers, including early childhood educators, for their emotional well-being. Strong, trusting relationships with educators help them feel safe, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security while they’re at childcare.
It’s also worth noting that these early years are critical for brain development. Positive interactions with responsive educators stimulate neural connections, promoting cognitive, emotional and social growth. Through these positive interactions with educators, infants and toddlers learn to regulate their emotions, develop empathy and build social skills, laying the foundation for future social competence and emotional resilience.
The educator-child relationship is so important that it’s included as a key Quality Area under the National Quality Standard (NQS). Quality Area 5 – Relationships with children aims to promote relationships with children that are responsive, respectful and promote children’s sense of security and belonging.
The key elements included under this quality area include:
- Element 5.1.1: Responsive and meaningful interactions build trusting relationships that engage and support each child to feel secure, confident and included,
- Element 5.1.2: The dignity and rights of every child are maintained,
- Standard 5.2: Each child is supported to build and maintain sensitive and responsive relationships, and
- Element 5.2.2: Each child is supported to regulate their own behaviour, respond appropriately to the behaviour of others and communicate effectively to resolve conflicts.
Strategies for building relationships with children
Educator-child relationships typically take time and effort to develop. With this in mind, here are just some of the ways educators can build connections with the children in their care.
Create a supportive environment
Before educators can focus on building relationships in childcare, they must establish a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe and valued. When children feel secure, they’re more likely to trust their caregivers and engage in positive interactions, forming the basis for strong relationships.
Further, when children feel supported, they’re often more confident exploring their surroundings. That way, educators who create a safe and stimulating environment can guide and participate in these explorations, laying the foundation for building more trust and a greater rapport with the children.
Implement responsive communication
Responsive communication is a cornerstone of building positive, nurturing relationships in childcare. It creates an environment where children feel safe, understood and valued, which is essential for their emotional and social development.
Good educators actively listen to children when they’re in the process of developing positive relationships. They aim to respond to their needs and emotions sensitively to validate their feelings and promote effective communication.
By responding to their needs and encouraging them to express themselves, educators are able to help children develop independence and self-reliance. From here, confident children who feel supported are more likely to explore and learn autonomously.
Encourage social interaction
While educators work hard to establish positive educator-child relationships, they also facilitate opportunities for children to interact with peers, promoting cooperation, empathy and conflict-resolution skills.
These social interactions help children develop essential social skills, like sharing, taking turns, cooperating and understanding social cues. Ultimately, these skills are foundational for building and maintaining relationships throughout life.
Demonstrate consistency and predictability
Most children thrive with routine, so consistent expectations encourage a sense of security. When they understand what is expected, it helps to reduce anxiety and promote positive behaviour.
Regular, predictable interactions build trust between educators and children. When children consistently receive care and attention in a reliable manner, they learn to trust their caregivers, which is fundamental for forming strong, positive relationships.
Use positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement rewards children for displaying appropriate behaviour, encouraging them to repeat these actions. Recognising and rewarding good behaviour helps children understand what is expected of them and promotes a positive learning environment.
By focusing on and reinforcing positive behaviour, educators can often reduce the occurrence of negative behaviours. Children who receive attention and rewards for positive actions are less likely to seek attention through negative behaviour.
Positive reinforcement also motivates children to try their best and persist in challenging tasks. When children know their efforts will be recognised, they are more likely to take risks and engage in new learning experiences.
Act as a role model
Role modelling is a powerful tool for teaching children social skills. Educators act as role models for appropriate behaviour and social skills, demonstrating respect, kindness and inclusivity in their interactions. Children often imitate the actions and behaviours of adults around them when they’re learning to socialise with others. When educators model positive behaviours, like kindness, patience and respect, children learn to replicate these behaviours in their interactions with others.
Key educator relationships in childcare
While early childhood educators need to form strong bonds with the children in their care, there are several other important relationships that require their focus and attention.
Educators also need to collaborate effectively with other educators and staff members within the childcare setting to foster a supportive work environment. This teamwork ensures consistency in care, enhances communication and promotes a shared commitment to children's development.
Why is it important to build positive relationships with families in childcare?
The relationship between early childhood educators and their childcare families also plays a key role in supporting children in care. By building a partnership with families, educators are able to take a holistic approach to a child's development. Educators often collaborate with parents to share information, discuss goals and support each child's learning and well-being, both at home and while they’re in care. Plus, parents can provide insights into their child’s preferences, needs and developmental milestones, allowing educators to tailor their approach and create a more personalised learning experience.
By establishing relationships with families and caregivers, educators are able to ensure consistency in the child’s care and routines. When families and educators communicate effectively, they can provide a consistent approach to behavior management, learning activities and daily routines, which helps children feel secure and supported.
As part of their role, early childhood educators are required to establish positive relationships with children, their families and their colleagues at the childcare service. Each of these relationships helps to provide a supportive learning environment for the children in care, so they can develop the skills they need to succeed in the future.
