Explain how own working practice can affect children and young people’s development (CYP 3.2 -4.1) Introduction:
As a practitioner it’s your duty to observe and maintain correct procedures to ensure that the children are offered a stimulating environment which will further allow optimum possibilities for development. All those who work with or amongst children and young people have a crucial role to play in helping not only to shape aspects of their lives, but to also aid in enhancing their future development. Therefore it can be stated that how we set up our own working practices can affect children and young people’s development, as will be identified by this essay; below are areas where one should concentrate in order to further act and improve upon the working practices.
Being healthy
POSITIVE: The necessity of encouragement and expression to children of the importance of good physical and mental health through their diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle (EYFS 1.4 PIP CARD). NEGATIVE: If we do not promote and encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle, it could results in the children having poorly developed immune system which in turn would cause them to be ill and have days off school which would affect their development.
Staying safe
POSITIVE: Being protected from harm and neglect. Practitioners need to incorporate on rules and safety which will then educate children at an early age to be vigilant and cautious of any harm. Therefore it is important that these procedures are enforced minimize risk with the practice should be carried out to ensure it meets the regulatory requirements.
Making a positive contribution
POSITIVE: A practice that participates in being involved within the community and not engaging in anti-social behaviour as well as instilling crucial moral values in children from early years to mould their emotional and social development and to determine the kind of adult they will become. Work setting needs to be inclusive and also ensures it promotes diversity (EYFS I.2 PIP CARD). NEGATIVE: If there is no encouragement of inclusion of different religions, races an background; the child will become unaware of the diversity in the world and their mentality we be that of exclusion of the others that are different, and therefore it is a necessity for the world we live in that the child has a sense of social and moral equality.
Effective observations/assessments
POSITIVE: Carrying out effective observations which allow us to assess the development of children in order to improve or implement adequate plans for the needs of the children. Observations give the practitioner the power to assess the needs of the SEN children and therefore to adapt the activities best suited to the children (EYFS 3.1 PIP CARD). NEGATIVE: Not carrying out any observation could lead to inappropriate planning and hinder any development and also overlook any delay a child may have.
Good communication
POSITIVE: Maintaining good relations with Parents, Carers is an essential element in the healthy development of a child. This then enables the practitioner to understand the child more (i.e. how the child behaves at home and alternatively how the child behaves at school). Parents may be then able to voice any concerns they have with the practitioner and this will therefore result in a healthy parent – practitioner relationship allowing good communication which will aid in them both in aiding the child. Each communication technique needs to be varied for each child. NEGATIVE: Lack of communication may cause barriers in the development of the child and cause lack of understanding between those who may otherwise be able to help the child.
Interior of the workplace
POSITIVE: The overall interior of the work setting may enhance or inhibit the development of a child. If the features of the work setting are attractive, stimulating, organized, well-planned, and varied this can contribute in promoting development. The layout, inside and outside, is very important and can offer opportunities to a child to stimulate and aid a child’s cognitive learning ability. Practitioners need to ask ‘Do I plan activities that develop the skills of individual children.’ ‘Are the children’s toys and activities readily available for them?’ ‘How could I improve my practice, my routine so it will give maximum benefit to the child?’ ‘Do I need to incorporate different methods to cater for each child?’ Outdoor play is essential in the development of the child as it helps to increase their spatial awareness
Model behaviour
POSITIVE: Every practitioner needs to adapt ideal model behaviour, as many theorists believe that children imitate adults. They need to portray through their actions good manners, good behaviour and good listening. This needs to be encouraged to further develop and enhance their moral and social development. Body language, facial gestures/expressions and varied communication are other essential elements for a practitioner to adapt. In this way one can gain trust and love of a child; if the child is comfortable and secure in their environment this will affect their development in a positive manner.
Reward system
POSITIVE: Many theorists suggest that giving praise, reward and encouragement is absolutely crucial for any child to progress or advance in a positive and healthy manner. Regular, effective and varied reward systems should be integrated in our practices with children being awarded in many different ways. This would in turn boost the child’s motivation giving them more confidence to approach tasks and would hence encourage them to excel further. Social privileges may be given to those who display good behaviour; again as indicated previously, this will promote further good behaviour within other children as well. A practitioner whose character is that of a happy, cheerful, well mannered and caring person will help to create a healthy and positive atmosphere; this will undoubtedly bring out the best in a child and will affect his development holistically.
NEGATIVE: On the other hand, practitioners that do not motivate children through the mentioned reward systems will result in the children to be far less motivated in any task they undertake. Negative remarks and exclusion can have adverse effects; such as not listening to a child who needs affection can have detrimental effects on his development. A child who is made fun of because of his background, his appearance or a certain behaviour that he might display might affect his development. Each child is unique and needs to be cared for in his own way. Therefore, to enable our own practices to help children and young people’s development one needs to take a holistic approach to all aspects of a child’s well-being. It is imperative to create an environment of trust, love and support and understanding of the child.
In conclusion, the points identified in this essay reiterate how our own working practice can affect children and young people. These factors are essential in the development of healthy and positive child; and it is important that a practitioner take care in ensuring that they provide the child with both a stable environment and an attitude that will aid the children in boosting their confidence and moral.
