Children and Young Peoples Workforce (QCF) - Coursework Example

CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (QCF) Developing a clear understanding of the attachment needs of babies and young children is one of the most important attributes that will contribute positively towards their growth and development. A key worker system in early years setting is regarded as standard good practice as it encourages the development of a secure and close relationship between a child and the parent or carer. This close relationship is critical for the early development of a child since it determines how a parent or carer attends and responds to a child’s needs for security, comfort as well as care. A key worker system ensures that a practitioner who has been given the responsibility of looking after a number of children, develops in- depth knowledge about them based on continuous interaction and constant observation of the children. Loving and secure relationships with key carers and parents enable children to grow up to be strong and independent. Children will learn to deal with various circumstances with support from their parents and care givers. Poor quality attachments have negative effects on the development of babies and children. It has been identified that all kinds of anti- social behaviors are as a result of poor quality attachments between children and their parents. Children who do not have stable childhoods and are not given full attention by their parents do not get opportunities of benefiting from the important learning that takes place in parent- child interactions. Continuous contact with parents and care givers is therefore important in ensuring children grows up normally. This way, children will be able to form quality attachments to their parents and other individuals (Beaver, Brewster and Jones, 2001p 241). Parents and carers are encouraged to engage sensitively with babies and young children by giving them time to respond. Children and young babies learn best and effectively at their own pace. Parents are therefore encouraged to allow their children adequate time to follow and absorb their own interests. Children have their own time when they can learn, develop, explore as well as practice. Responsive care includes circumstances where carer is responding to a child’s needs in a sensitive, consistent and prompt manner. Responses provided by the carer should be sensitive towards the needs and preferences of a child. Care givers should attend to a child’s needs consistently. The carer should be able to respond and manage situations promptly so as to avoid delays. Transitions present children with challenges which they may not understand or cope with as required. It is therefore important for parents to offer support so that children do not go through the transitions on their own. Parents support will enable the children to come out of the transition with positive rewards. The children will be more willing to attempt transitions that may come later in their lives as they will be feeling more confident after successfully going through one transition. Sleep and rest periods will contribute positively towards healthy development of a child. Children need to sleep when they show signs that suggest they are tired such as yawning, rubbing eyes or twisting their hair. They should be allowed to rest even when it is not during scheduled time. Children grow at a rapid rate therefore they require large amounts of nutrients to help in the formation of strong bones and muscles. Children also use a lot of energy therefore they require the right kinds of foods that will provide them with energy that may be utilized to sustain their activities. A considerable amount of food should therefore be given to children and it should contain carbohydrates, proteins as well vitamins so as to provide the child with the necessary nutritional requirements (Beaver, Brewster and Jones, 2001p 101). The recommended number of calories for young children according to their age range is as follows: Age Required calories 0 -1 year 800 1-2 years 1,200 2-3 years 1,400 3-5 years 1,600 5-7 years 1,800 Principles of effective toilet training and how this can be incorporated into routines will require practices of encouragement. Children have to be praised as this will encourage them to repeat an action. Children require continuity in cases where they have to learn a new skill. Parents and carers should therefore teach their children on a continuous basis about the practice of toilet training. In toilet training, children should be taught to familiarize with signals of needing to visit a toilet. They therefore need quick access to a toilet when the need to go arises. A parent can enable a child to visit the toilet at the required time by dressing the child in clothes that can be easily undressed (Beaver, Brewster and Jones, 2001p 68). Exercises and physical activities for young children and babies are important as they will enable the children to develop fine motor skills. Young children and toddlers should be encouraged to take part in exercises and physical activities such as running, kicking, jumping as well as playing. These activities will help to strengthen children’s body muscles therefore promote a healthy physical growth (Beaver, Brewster and Jones, 2001p 25). Sudden infant death syndrome is defined as the unexpected death of a child under the age of one year. Parents are advised to establish a sleep routine for their children as this is regarded as an effective mechanism of minimizing sudden infant death syndrome. Children with disabilities record some difficulties that make it difficult for them to grow up and learn compared to other children of the same age. Early intervention therefore needs to be put in place to minimize any form of distress which may be experienced by a disabled child. Each disabled child has the right to enjoy a full life in conditions that aim at promoting self- reliance as well as facilitate active participation of the child in various activities. A disabled child has a right to access free (where possible) special care as well as effective access to receiving health care services, education and rehabilitation services in a manner that will encourage the child to achieve fullest integration into society and individual development (KIDS, 2011 p 11). According to the medical model, a problem of disability is situated within an individual. This means that an individual will become disabled as a result of their own impairments. Medical interventions can therefore be applied to provide the disabled individual with necessary skills he may require to adapt into the society (Beaver, Brewster and Jones, 2001p 634). Social model of disability, on the other hand, does not support the medical model that is used in most health professions. The social model of disability gives the difference between the terms disability and impairment so as to generate a clear distinction which is embedded in social constructionism. The social model of disability recognizes that individuals may vary in their physical and psychological abilities and this will result in each individual developing different abilities therefore may function in different manners within the society. This model suggests that the society bears the responsibility of affecting the individual making him become disabled. Advocacy is important as it will create awareness in the society about disabled children who need adults’ assistance in putting forward their ideas and views. Advocacy will therefore make the disabled children feel like they belong to the society as they can now be heard. Facilitated advocacy is important as it gives various groups the opportunity to work together with decision makers in bringing about change in the way social services are operated. It gives the groups a voice and also makes decision makers be aware of their needs. The role of a personal assistant is to offer care and support and to help individuals achieve certain life elements such as quality individual interactions. Personal assistant’s role is to also give individuals an opportunity to make their own decisions. This will make them feel empowered and they will become independent. It is important to encourage participation of young people and disabled children in child care practice by increasing opportunities for the children to take part in decision making processes. UN Convention outlines that disabled children and young people have equal rights as children who are not disabled to be a part of issues that affect their lives. Importance of encouraging disabled children and young adults to participate in decision making is critical as it will make it possible to overcome challenges and barriers within the area of support, training, systems, resources and structures in the society. References Beaver, M, Brewster, J and Jones, P., 2001. Babies and Young Children: Diploma in Child Care and Education. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. KIDS, 2011. Legislation, policy and guidance relating to inclusion in Play and Childcare. Viewed from http://www.kids.org.uk/files/106266/FileName/KIDSlegislationandpolicyforwebsite_august2011_230911.pdf [Accessed 10 July, 2012] Read More