FEUILLE-RESOURCES #30 Fédération canadienne des services de garde à l'enfance

Respecting the Children in Our Care

I show respect when:

• Listen to what a child has to say.
• I take time for a child when I am very busy.
• I play with the children.
• I recognize the children's accomplishments.
• I allow the children to settle disputes between themselves.
• I listen to a special song with the children.
• I show interest in a child's project.
• I make eye contact with each child.
• I encourage the children to express different viewpoints.
• I allow the children to make choices.
• I let the children have privacy.
• I consider each child a unique individual.
• I call the children by their names.
• I encourage independence.
• I respond to the children's questions.
• I do not interrupt a child who is talking.
• I respect a child's choice of friends and play equipment.
• I allow the children to make mistakes.
• I am flexible.
• I let the children disagree.
• I care for the children's property.
• I allow transition time.
• I listen to a child's problem and realize how upsetting the situation can be for him/her.
• I talk to the children as people.
• I give each child a chance to communicate.
• I ask a child for his/her solution to a problem.
• I value the children's opinions.
• I remember that play is of great importance in each child's life.

• I do not take a child's opinion seriously.
• I avoid dealing with an issue that a child feels needs immediate attention.
• I walk away from a child while he/she is crying.
• I do not stop to listen.
• I respond with "uh©huh."
• I use a "baby©talk" tone of voice with younger children.
• I use angry words when I am under stress.
• I cut a child's conversation short. I finish tasks for the children in order to hasten time.
• I forget to follow through on something that I promised.
• I answer questions for the children.
• I behave impatiently.
• I respond to a child sarcastically.
• I shout.
• I force a child into a situation in which he/she is uncomfortable.
• I set my expectations too high.
• I rush the children.
• I call the children names (e.g. stupid).
• I become frustrated because the children's needs interfere with my daily schedule.
• I focus on children's bad behaviours.
• I belittle the children's feelings.
• I sneak up on a child who is doing something wrong.
• I ignore the children.
• I stop a child who is really interested in completing a project.
• I don't allow a child to explain why or how a friend got hurt, or how an accident occurred.

This Resource Sheet was published by the Canadian Child Care Federation, Winter 1995.

Posted by: the Canadian Child Care Federation, September 1996.

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