10 Principles of Caregiving

Principle 1: Involve the infants and toddlers in the things that concern them.

Children should not just be observing things like when their diaper is being changed, but also participate in the activity with you. These can be good learning experiences.

Principle 2: Spend quality time.

Children need undivided attention. Don't be doing two things at once while interacting with them.

Principle 3: Learn each child's unique ways of communicating and teach them yours.

All children have different personalities just like adults do. Recognize clues that your child might be giving and teach them your ways of communicating also.

Principle 4: Invest the time and energy needed to build a total person.

It is important for children to be well rounded in life. Help them to realize this through guidance.

Principle 5: Respect infants and toddlers as being worthy people.

It is polite to ask children their opinions on certain things and to tell them what you're going to do with them. You wouldn't like to be touched without someone asking permission first. Kids feel the same way too.

Principle 6: Be honest about your feelings.

Don't sugar coat anything for children. Expressing yourself appropriately will model to them how to react in certain situations later on.

Principle 7: Model the type of behavior you'd like to teach.

Don't say one thing and then do another, be consistent with your actions and the kids will follow.

Principle 8: Recognize that problems can be learning opportunities and let infants and toddlers try to solve some problems on their own.

If you rescue a child every time they are in a mess they will never learn to deal with these problems effectively on their own. Be there for them but don't take over.

Principle 9: Teach trust, build security.

Building trust with the child will lead to a secure relationship between the two of you later on.

Principle 10: Be concerned about developmental quality in each stage.

Each child is going to develop at their own different pace. Don't rush this but embrace the learning opportunities and let nature take its course.