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(Unit 5) Topic 2: Planning Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Children

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Treating all Children Respectfully and Individually

Remember that not all children complete activities in the same amount of time.

​Topic 2 Page 11

Click here to take notes.

The same way children make decisions differently, they also move and learn at different rates. Early childhood professionals must be aware of each individual child and their learning styles and characteristics for the purposes of curriculum and activity planning. 

Some students may require more time to finish an activity where attention to detail is needed. Others will rush through and be completely content with their results. Still others may ponder their options thoroughly and find it hard to commit to one. 

A quality early childhood program will make it a top priority to treat all children with respect and consider their individual personalities. Doing so has two important elements.

The first element is to avoid any type of bias or discrimination based on a child’s race, religion, culture, gender, disability, family structure, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.

The second element is responding appropriately to the individual abilities, needs, and backgrounds of children.

Each child in your program is a unique human being with many variables and characteristics that influence their learning and personality.  By the time children begin school, they have developed personality traits that are likely to continue throughout childhood and into their adult years. School-age children have many different people in their lives who influence them in various ways. Parents, siblings, peers, teachers, neighbors and child care staff all influence children. 

Some other major factors that influence a child’s development and personality are things such as culture, ethnicity, theological beliefs and community involvement and activities. Organized sports, scout groups, community events, and volunteer work are all factors that influence a child, as well. 

It is important for early childhood professionals to be familiar with the context (characteristics of the home, school, and community) in which each child in their program is growing up. By getting to know each child and their unique situation, you show respect, appreciation, and understanding of each child. This also allows a better connection and quality rapport with each child and family. Having this relationship with each child also helps children to learn to value themselves as well as the world around them.

• The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
• Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior​
• Avoiding Gender Stereotypes, By Barbara Solomon from Parents Magazine
• Integrating Music, Drama, and Dance Helps Children Explore and Learn, Teaching Young Children, VOL. 9 NO. 4, Jennifer Cooper​
• Literacy-Rich Environments, By: The Access Center,  Colorín Colorado

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