The Belonging of A Child
by: Natalie De Sousa, Denise Tecson
March 20, 2016
Professor: Corrine McCormick-Brighton
CHLD 1302
reference: (2014). How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years. Queen's Printer for Ontario.
Belonging = Secure Relationships
- the goal is for children to feel connected to other people and thus develop interactions that help expand their world of experiences
- secure relationships are a strong connection to caregivers that give children the confidence to play, learn, and explore
How To Support A Child's Sense of Belonging
- belonging is supported when a child's individuality and presence is valued
- belonging is strengthened when children have the opportunity to explore connections between their home life and the ECE program (e.g. invite/encourage family to participate in the child's experiences in the centre)
A Child's Sense of Belonging is Demonstrated When:
- children feel safe and included in relationships with everyone
- children are able to feel comfortable expressing themselves without feeling judged or persecuted
- children can accept others and respond positively to differences, uniqueness, and new perspectives of others
Why Is A Child's Sense of Belonging Important?
- a feeling of belonging helps the children learn to collaborate, negotiate, communicate, and care for others
- it helps develop the child's self-esteem
- a sense of belonging is a key contributor to a child's lifelong well-being
- family, educators, and the community are able to gain a deeper understanding of perception of the child
How To Promote a Child's Sense of Belonging in The Centre
- pay attention to each child's cues and respond in a positive, warm, and sensitive manner
- value each child's sense of self, presence, and individuality
- plan for smooth transitions between home, settings, daily routines, and all early years environments
- support pro-social behavior such as sharing, collaborating/cooperation, caring for others, and responding positively to other individuals
- establish warm and caring manners through body language
- capitalize one-on-one interactions between children during daily routines
- discover each child's unique characteristics by communicating with their parents, guardians, and/or other family members
- express a sense of purpose when children participate in the program, daily routines, and community
- find ways to incorporate children's skills and interests within the learning curriculum