Wellbeing is defined as a state of physical, social, or emotional comfort. This includes happiness and satisfaction, effective social functioning, and the dispositions of optimism, openness, curiosity, and resilience.
This type of learning environment supports children’s confidence to be involved learners who are increasingly able to take responsibility for their own learning, personal regulation, and contributions to the social environment.
Framework Principles & Practices utilized in the program: reflective practice, holistic approaches, intentionality.
Wellbeing Objectives:
- children feel safe, secure, and supported.
- children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.
Strategies:
- educators plan for consistency in routines to allow children to predict transitions.
- educators acknowledge and respond sensitively to children’s cues and signals.
- educators support children in times of change and bridge the gap between the familiar and the unfamiliar.
- educators actively support children to learn hygiene practices.
- educators engage children in experiences, conversations and routines that promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
- educators provide a range of active and restful experiences throughout the day and support children to make appropriate decisions regarding participation.
Personal & Social Responsibility Objectives:
- children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy, and respect.
- children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities, and how they can actively participate in them.
Strategies:
- educators organize learning environments in ways that promote small group interactions and play experiences.
- educators plan opportunities for children to participate in meaningful ways in group discussions and shared decision-making about rules and expectations.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this program participants will be able to:
- Identify environmental factors that can increase stress and distress in childcare classrooms.
- Use the 4 C’s Framework to increase attachment and resilience.
- List 6 key practices that support increased wellbeing in childcare programs.
- Analyze their classroom schedule and implement strategies to reduce transitions and increase opportunities for longer blocks of child-initiated play.
- Set next steps for improving classroom wellbeing for children and educators.
Articles:
- Seeing & Supporting Children’s Right to Choose
- Eliminating Transitions
