TUNE-IN TO THE CHILDREN
Being tuned-into a child is a vital part of having meaningful and responsive interactions during the day. A meaningful interaction with an infant and toddler, means you are:
• Pay attention to their needs
• nurturing
• warm and caring
• responsive to their needs
• respectfully listen to the child
• guiding
• able to follow child’s lead.
How to tune-into the infants and toddlers in your care:
Take the time each day to reflect on how you interacted with the infants and toddlers in your program. Ask yourself:
• How well did I communicate with each child?
• Did I look directly at the infants and talk to them?
• Was I responsive to the needs of the toddlers in my program?
• How was my tone of voice? Was it warm and tender?
• Did I smile at the babies often?
• What specifically did I do to have a positive effect on the relationship with the children?
• What could I do differently to tune-into the children?
Here are some tips for tuning-into the children:
• Providers have many things on their minds when caring for the children in their program. It is often easy to become so overwhelmed with accomplishing every task that we forget one of the most important things children need - that is building a relationship with each child. Take the time to slow down and concentrate on what is happening right in front of you. Enjoy your meaningful time with each child.
For example: when feeding an infant, watch the infant’s cues. Is the infant looking in your eyes? Is the infant making cooing sounds? Relax and talk to the infant, smile and take your time. You will enjoy feeding time as much as the infant.
• Tune-into the child instead of thinking what you have to do next connect with the child. That means listening to what they need at that moment.
For example: a toddler is learning how to use a spoon at mealtime. Enjoy this developmental moment. Encourage the child, smile, and show your enthusiasm for their accomplishment.
• Taking this important time with each child will help support them in their growth and development. The other tasks like, cleaning, paperwork, laundry will be there later. Don’t miss these exciting opportunities to tune-into the child and share them with them. Tuning into the child is one of the most important roles you have in caring for children. Prioritize your time, think about what is more productive.
• Learn about the children. Even infants and toddlers have unique and specific interests, needs, and preferences. This will help you to tune-into each child in a meaningful way
• When you are tuned-into the child in a meaningful way, you can then recognize what is needed for their next step in learning and development.
Remind yourself that being present with children is the first and most important role that you play.
Resource
The State Capacity Building Center (SCBC); www.childcareta.acf.hhs.gov