Assignment
Identify one piece of legislation which promotes children’s rights in our setting
The United nation’s convention on the rights of the child applies to all children in UK below the age of 17. Theses children ages 18 and under have all the rights in the convention. Those children who are disabled and those with special condition are also given the same privilege with special consideration of their needs. The convention was authorized in UK on December 16, 1991. These gave the government legal responsibility to enforce and make sure that every child’s welfare are promoted and protected by the authorities. The treaty came out January 15, 1992, 40 specific rights were to the children in UK. These rights were to ensure the survival and development of the child and in institute of the legal rights of the child in order to have their best interests protected.
Describe the role of the practitioner in meeting the individual needs of all children
As a practitioner in care of home- based children, it is by legality of their practice that they must be aware of children’s right. They should be able to understand and promote the interest of the child that is cared of. Practitioners must also understand that every child is different ion terms of their needs and those needs are essential to be provided to the child. The home based children are especially sensitive to this needs since most of the time their parents are not around to support their needs. Since most of the needs vary it is important that the practitioners in care for the child has adequate knowledge regarding the developmental stage of the child. If the child being cared for is an infant then his/her needs is quiet different to a toddler or a school age child. Infants are very delicate that is why it is important that the practitioner support the child since it is very dependent.
The practitioner must also understand that importance of feeding and developing trust with child/infant. Since the child is still at a stage where most of his emotions are very delicate and are developing especially those home-based children it is important that the practitioner will be able to meet this needs. The practitioner has a responsibility to make sure to encouraged and support parent in being involved in the child’s care as well because it is still important that the child be aware that despite being cared of by practitioners or carers, their parents are still the primary provider of their care. The communication and involvement of parents in the care is also important because it would help ensure appropriate decisions affecting the child’s care of the child. Practitioners must also be able to provide a quality home based child care, activities, programs and play experiences that would be able to meet the children’s developmental needs.
Discuss how daily routines support children’s wellbeing
Children’s thrive in predictable environment where mealtimes, nap times, separating from parents and toileting are dealt with consistently. It is important to create a nurturing, flexible and positive environment where the children’s needs are met through their daily routine. Daily routines provide a good way for the child to develop independence and it is an opportunity to let the child learn more about himself/herself, their surrounding and the people around them. It also gives the child a sense of stability feeling that they are cared for. But it is also important that the daily routines that are given to the child are responsive to child’s individual needs.
The way we handle our daily routines also affects children that is why it is important that we handle our daily routines. In babies, the tasks in feeding and diapering communicates to the child that the child can trust you and can rely upon you for his nourishment and to provide for his/ her needs. This bond creates a special attachment and trust in babies which is very important for his development. It is also important that routines that that are established are based on the infants needs and should not be rushed on.
Children prefer plain food that they can eat with their finger and most of the time feeding is very hard because of this. It is important that the snacks and meal that they receive are nutritious and should vary, Children also eat at their own pace and some children even eats more that the others. It is important that eating for children should be shared and cooperative experience with food. Mealtimes are important for the child because it provides opportunities for the child to be independent by making choices about foods that they want to eat. Simple task can promote an important measure for children especially when they are able to accomplish this task through their daily routines as this increases their self esteem and self worth which is an important part of their development especially when they grow older.
Discuss how daily routines could meet individual needs of pre-school and school age children in a home-based setting
Preschooler need to develop the initiative. According to the psychosocial development of Erick Erickson one task of preschooler is to develop this initiative. Developing initiative in children is important so that they can learn to think and accomplish simple task for themselves. This is also the stage where social development emerges. This development is the stage where the child make friend and develops a bond with others. They could also work as a part of a team and be a good leader. A preschool can develop all of this through the simple task or accomplishing simple problems on their own. Task like being able to just dress, comb their hair and accomplish simple task that has been given by their parents to them can build their self confidence, cooperation and trust. If preschoolers are given opportunities to simply pick up their toys, such responsibility can promote their independence. At this stage also the child seems to like to do things, so it is important to let the child do those things and not to prevent them from accomplishing things so that there sense of initiative is intact because if you prevent them and get mad at them they will develop guilt and may withdraw from doing simply things because of their sense of guilt that they might make a mistake and that they will be punished form it. The child can also develop a sense if dependence if he/she is not allowed to accomplish small task.
This is just the same with a school age child, it is important that the child during the preschool age develops a sense of initiative so that when the child is in the stage of school age the child is independent and has a sense of initiative in accomplishing things which more likely will contribute to child to be industrious in his/her work. School age is where the child develops industry through letting the child read books play with toys that are available at home. Even if the school age child is at home the child can still develop a sense industry by allowing the child to read, write, draw and converse with others about his/ her interest. Let them do things for themselves since most school age are capable of doing things because at this age then can already do meaningful task. It is important that whatever daily routines that have been set for school age children are to be consistent so that the child is not confused. Consistency of the daily routines such as the time for eating, sleeping and other routines that have been a part of the child will help the child to be more responsible for the things that he is capable of and value the importance of being able to do things for others and as well as for him.
Discuss how to promote children’s safety
Safety is an important measure among children since most children are very vulnerable to accidents that are cause of neglect or improper setting for the child. That is why promoting child’s safety is an important measure for children to be protected form harm and accidents that happen especially at home. Providing simple measures and precautions for children especially at home can be one way of lessening accident in children. According to statistics around 26,000 children under five years old are hospitalized because of poisoning. There are plenty of household harmful substances in every home that is why it is important to keep children away from it. Storing things in a proper manner will avoid accidents and poisoning at home. Parents and practitioners should keep medicines properly and out sight of young children that are very curious of such stuffs. It is important that medicines and other hazardous substances are kept in high places or cupboards where the children cannot get hold of. It is also a necessity that household chemicals and cleaning products are kept away from children and that they cannot access such substances to prevent them from accidently playing and ingesting such things. Another reason for the increase poisoning incidence in children is the placement of inappropriate bottle or container of the chemical substances that is why it is important that the bottle or container is appropriate for its content to avoid such accidents to happen.
It is also important to take precautionary measures for any flammable stuff in the house. Fires in the home kill dozen of children every year accounting for most deaths in children. The best way to teach children about fire safety is by making ourselves as their example and being a model to them. It is important that children are given clear instruction of what should they do and what they should not do so that they know that you as their guardian or the parents have set a limitation for them. If the child is in school age and can already understand it is better that you explain and make them understand why you are enforcing such rules to them. It is important to teach children simple rules that will protect them against fire. It is also important that children are aware of what they are to do in case there is a fire especially when there is no adult around or available.
It is important that children are always guided and instructed accordingly in order to prevent any accidents. Toddlers, preschoolers and school age children are still in the stage where curiosity plays an important role in their development. That is why it is important that practitioners, care givers and parents supervise and explain to their children the importance of being protected and avoiding harm without compromising the their developmental stage. It is also important that the parents or caregiver themselves protect their children anywhere, whether at home or in public places. Safety measures can start at home by proper placements of furniture and other furnishing that will ensure that child is protected and will minimize the incidence of any accidents to happen. First aid kit is also important and should be readily available in cases of emergency. Developing a child friendly environment for home based children and enforcing a rules and limitations for children would decrease the risk of harm and other accidents that may likely to occur in such settings.
Identify strategies for communicating with children
Children communicate in different ways, mostly in ways that sometimes it may seem incomprehensible to some. At times parents or practitioners have a hard time to understand what the child is communicating since children, especially toddlers and preschoolers, have a hard time expressing themselves as well as what they want. An important way of being able to comprehend what they are actually saying or what they want to convey is through understanding and taking time to listen to the child. Listening to the child is important in communication because this allows you to properly identify the key of what the child is saying. By listening to what the child is saying and by observing also the cues such as other non verbal language of the child would actually allow you to understand what the child meant. Non verbal cues, gestures and other ways would help you comprehend how the child feels. Let the child open up, when the child is trying to say something it is important that the practitioner communicates by listening first. After listening to what the child was gesturing or saying, confirm to the child what you understood. You can do this by repeating and rephrasing what the child says and offer ways for the child to explore more of what they want to say.
Since most children are very active in talking and making sound, don’t prevent them in doing so. Words are very important for them that is why let them, allow them to do so. This way the practitioner and the child can communicate better due to the development of trust in the child’s part. Since most children like to be heard or they like the fact that what they are saying is given attention, that is why if the child is able to learn new words or actually make sense in what they are trying to say, practitioners can offer praises too boost their confidence to open up. Studies showed that children who are withdrawn from other people have a hard time to communicate with other people because it is more likely that during the early stage of their childhood they either not given enough attention and are not given a chance to speak for themselves that is why develop a sense of inferiority on others.
Practitioners can communicate better with children through creative activities. Activities with children’s help them open up what they want to do. The practitioner can let the child say something about what they are working on, this way it will give a sense of control on the child and the child can also feel that he/she can confined things that he/she cannot express directly. Offering praises can make the child speak, when the child knows that you are happy with him or her it is easier for you to ask question and communicate with the child because the child feels important through his accomplishment and that he or she is trusted. If the child is talking, don’t interrupt let the child say what he wants to say and if the child has a hard time expressing what he or she wants to say offer choices but never direct what the child will say so that the child can develop his/her decision skills. It maybe hard for practitioners to actually understand and communicate directly with children but what is important is that when communicating with a child you have to be very sensitive of what they are trying to convey so that you would have an understanding of how to communicate back.
Discuss one factor that affects children’s behaviour
Disability affects a child’s behaviour in dealing with others and with him or herself. Children with disabilities are very reluctant in dealing with people because of the lack of self confidence of esteem that is due the disability that the child has. Children with disability have a sense of feeling that they are different and that they somehow thing that they do not belong. They are highly emotional when it comes to their disability because they feel that they are not normal as other children. With this in their mind and without understanding their situation they often remain withdrawn from others and regress. Children with disabilities who are given enough attention and explanation of their situation will not develop trust and independence. They would also be reluctant in initiating at any activities that is employed to them because they have not developed their self worth. Since their self worth is low this would also affect their relationship with other people. Most children with physical disabilities are often shy in engaging in activities because they feel that people will look at them differently and children of their age might laugh and tease them. This sense of fear that are built because of this made them reluctant with children and people and avoidant to their surroundings.
Describe strategies for challenging prejudice and discrimination when working with children and families
Prejudice and discrimination can be directly observed even as early as childhood. In the case of children discrimination happens in simple settings such as in their plays and activities that involves other children, where sometimes children that are different are the ones who are often discriminated. Practitioners should recognize the fact that each family belongs to different culture and race, they have different beliefs and attitudes that governs their way of living. That is why it is important that the practitioners must be aware of this in caring for children. Children may inflict discrimination to other children because they may not look alike or because the child may be different from the rest of the group it is important that the practitioner explain to the child the wrong action that has been committed otherwise the child might think that it is okay to just make fun of others or to humiliate others because of their differences. If the practitioners neglect informing and making the child understand that the behaviour is wrong then most likely the child would think that his or her action is acceptable.
The practitioner can also teach the children respect by letting them interact with other children and involve them in activities that would promote cooperation and team work. They should directly punish or initiate anything violent that would cause the child to develop fear on the practitioner but a simple understanding for the child that there are some actions that should not be done especially if it involves inflicting harm to others. It also important that the practitioner serve as a role model to the children because children have quiet sensitivity to what they hear and see because what they see and hear are mostly what they imitate and do.
Explain how to implement children’s rights in the home-based setting
Practitioners can ensure that the child’s right in a home-based setting are upheld by protecting the child from harm and promoting his or her safety. The practitioner need to make sure that the child is given provision of care and can participate in activities that promote his or her development. The child has the right to live in a safe environment and free from harm that is why it is important that the practitioners sees to it that no harm is done to the children that is been cared for. For example a toddler should be free from poisoning or any accidents that can happen while at home without compromising their development. The practitioner need to make sure also that the child has a suitable and fun environment where they would feel that they are cared for and important. The practitioner can do this by making sure that his or her needs are met such basic of a child, like feeding and infant and changing their diapers on time. Making sure that the infant is held every now and then to promote a bond that signifies importance of the child. This way the infant is able to feel that he or she is wanted even though the parents are not there.
Explain why it is important to children’s rights in the home-based setting
Every human has the rights just like children in a home based setting. Promoting the right of children is an important matter because it protects the welfare of the child. The child has a right that is centred to care for his or her development, that he can live without being deprived what is rightfully theirs. Children’s rights are important because this would give the child a sense of control and it helps promote a sense of well being for the child to develop properly and be able to meet the needs that is important for growth and development. It is important this right are given so that the child can be protected from harm and be cared for. Children’s right are important because it allows them to participate in activities, mingle with other people and develop properly.
Analyse the role of the practitioner in promoting children’s rights
The role of the practitioner in the children’s right is to be an advocate. Being an advocate means that the practitioners makes sure that all the rights of the child is promoted and employed on the child’s welfare. The practitioner’s primary commitment towards the right of the child is to ensure the child’s welfare, comfort and safety. Self awareness, knowledge in caring for the child and have the appropriate knowledge on the standards of care enhances the practitioner’s ability in advocating for and assuring management of children’s right. As an advocate, the practitioner’s takes all the reasonable ways in improving and employing the needs of the child that is cared for. When the children’s right are not met and are not recognized adequately and addressed it is the responsibility of the practitioner to advocate for the child through other means such as referral of the child to other means that can help promote and provide for the child’s needs.
Evaluate the impact of recent and relevant research on children’s rights in relation to practise
The children’s act 2004 provides a legal foundation for the transformation of child services. A series of documents are published in order to provide guidance under the Act to support local authorities and their partners in implementing constitutional duties. This act directly affects the practitioners practice in relation to the child’s rights because this acts is aimed in promoting the child’s welfare therefore it will affect the practitioner in such a way that that whatever is done to the child has a corresponding constitutional obligation for the practitioner. This is very relevant as this would serve as guidance on the practitioner’s part in relation to the pros and cons of his or her practice. This is very relevant because with this the practitioner would have a legal basis as well as the child has also his/ her legal basis in relation to the practice of the practitioner in caring for the child. The development of the program also ensures the legal responsibility of the practitioner. The act and the program also ensure that the child’s welfare and safety is also promoted.
References:
Department for Children, Schools and Families (2008). Children Act 2004. Every Child Matters. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/guidance/
Department of Children, Schools and Families (2008). United Convention on the Rights of the Child. Every child Matters. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/uncrc/
Directgov (2008). Children’s Human Rights. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ParentsRights/DG_4003313
Directgov. (2008) Keeping children safe from poisonous substances. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_078861
Directgov. (2008). Fire Safety advice for parents and child carers. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_10038395
