Blog
Abraham Maslow is known for his research and theory on the hierarchy of basic needs. As early educators, we know that a hungry or tired child is a force to be reckoned with! Maslow says that by setting up our classrooms to make each child in our care feel safe and comfortable and providing responsive care, we are letting them know they are important and respected.
Responsive caregiving is one way that early educators can create a strong relational foundation for each and every child. This means being attuned to children’s verbal and nonverbal cues and responding to a child’s needs in a timely, supportive and appropriate manner. The way that you show up, and by being aware of individual temperament and preferences, plays a substantial role in how each child feels during an interaction and the way that they respond to your engagement.
As humans, everything we do is based around relationship building. Even from the start of life, infants and toddlers are already well aware that these relationships are important to them. This article from Teaching Strategies outlines more about the formation of quality relationships and what we can do as early educators to foster these relationships, not only with our infants and toddlers but also their families.
