Regulating Child Development

As part of a young child’s social and emotional development, he or she must be capable of regulating their emotions and behaviors. A child’s behaviors and tendencies may change drastically over the course of development. As noted by several theorists, many of these changes are not necessarily due to sudden shifts in the child’s biological make–up and are instead caused by shifts in the child’s environment. Gallagher (2005) discusses how such changes can affect a child’s behavior and emotions in the article Brain research and early childhood development - A primer for developmentally appropriate practice. A small excerpt within this article references a young boy whose family has recently undergone a series of stressful life changes such as

The author indicates that “child or family circumstances may put children at risk for not receiving enough help regulating their emotion” (Gallagher, 2005). Developmentally appropriate practices can help children work through complicated and difficult life circumstances. In many cases assisting children in regulating their emotional behavior may be crucial for the child’s development. Much of this article supports the notion that the way a child’s brain develops is positively influenced by supportive, loving and healthy relationships developed in early childhood (Gallagher, 2005). Nature and nurture play significant roles in a child’s development, however I believe that the way a child is raised, cared for and ultimately nurtured, may have more important and lasting effects on a child’s development than that of nature

Educators have to meet children where they are. D.A.P and intentional teaching have greatly influenced the way in which I approach early childhood education. Educators often take on varying roles throughout their day. As an educator I have acted as a doctor, lawyer, parent, chef, comfort seeker, custodian, social worker, friend and more. It is imperative that I provide an atmosphere whereby my students and their families feel welcomed and valued as members of the classroom community. It is important to maintain structure through rules, routines and procedures for safety and to develop trust and secure relationships with students and their families. Through observation, documentation and communication I am able to plan for children’s interests, strengths and challenges. Age appropriate activities are provided and facilitated to meet the developmental and learning needs of individuals in hands on, interactive and explorative