Meeting Children’s Meeting Children’s NeedsNeeds

Physical, Social, Physical, Social, Emotional & IntellectualEmotional & Intellectual

Meeting Physical Meeting Physical NeedsNeeds

Physical needs must Physical needs must be met before any be met before any other needs can be other needs can be metmet

FoodFood

Clothing Clothing

ShelterShelter

Medical CareMedical Care

FoodFood

Offer small servingsOffer small servings

Involve them in menu Involve them in menu planningplanningAllow them to assist Allow them to assist in preparationin preparationSnacks need to be Snacks need to be foods they can eat foods they can eat with their fingerswith their fingersOffer bright colors Offer bright colors when possiblewhen possible

ClothingClothingChoose clothes that fit Choose clothes that fit and are comfortable – and are comfortable – allowing freedom of allowing freedom of movementmovement

Soft fabrics, such as knit, Soft fabrics, such as knit, are preferred by childrenare preferred by children

Self-help features – Self-help features – snaps, buttons, elastic snaps, buttons, elastic waistbands, large arm waistbands, large arm and neck openingand neck opening

A Healthy & Safe A Healthy & Safe EnvironmentEnvironment

Provide good nutritionProvide good nutrition

Provide proper medical Provide proper medical carecare

Teach children good Teach children good eating and sleeping skillseating and sleeping skills

Maintain a clean and safe Maintain a clean and safe environmentenvironment

Teach children to Teach children to recognize and avoid recognize and avoid safety hazardssafety hazards

Supervise children wellSupervise children well

Meeting Social & Meeting Social & Emotional NeedsEmotional Needs

Most important social skill Most important social skill – Ability to communicate– Ability to communicate

Communication Communication techniquestechniques– Direct eye contactDirect eye contact– Keep messages simple Keep messages simple

and briefand brief– Reinforce words with action Reinforce words with action

when necessarywhen necessary– Use positive statementsUse positive statements– Answer questions briefly Answer questions briefly

and truthfullyand truthfully

Independence & Independence & ResponsibilityResponsibility

Allow children to use decision-making skills whenever Allow children to use decision-making skills whenever possiblepossibleOffer children equal alternativesOffer children equal alternativesChildren need to learn to live with the results of their Children need to learn to live with the results of their decisions, whether good or baddecisions, whether good or badEncourage children to care for their own belongingsEncourage children to care for their own belongings

Providing GuidanceProviding Guidance

Different guidance techniques Different guidance techniques for different ages, i.e. gestures for different ages, i.e. gestures and distractionsand distractions

Punishment techniquesPunishment techniques– Logical consequencesLogical consequences– Withdrawal of favorite foods or Withdrawal of favorite foods or

belongingsbelongings– IsolationIsolation– Restricting privilegesRestricting privileges– Physical punishmentPhysical punishment

Parenting StylesParenting Styles

AuthoritarianAuthoritarian – – parents rule single-parents rule single-handedlyhandedlyPermissivePermissive – – children are allowed children are allowed to set their own rulesto set their own rulesDemocraticDemocratic – allows – allows freedom within freedom within structure. Rules are structure. Rules are made & explainedmade & explained

Intellectual Intellectual DevelopmentDevelopment

PlayPlay

ReadingReading

StorytellingStorytelling

Art ActivitiesArt Activities

MusicMusic

Watching T.V. and Watching T.V. and MoviesMovies

Selecting ToysSelecting Toys

Age AppropriatenessAge Appropriateness

Safety – avoid toys Safety – avoid toys with small partswith small parts

TheTheEndEnd