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Articles

The Importance of Training and Professional Development for those involved with Children

Most people think that everyone has the natural, innate skills to care and look after children. Most people think that looking after children is an easy option, not something that needs to be worked at, nor needing a high level of commitment, knowledge and intelligence. Mothers and childcarers do not have a high status in our busy society, and neither do others working with children on a daily basis - they are expected to know instinctively what to do to provide the best learning and support for the children.

The Rights of the Child

All of us know that we have certain "rights" and needs in the society we live in, and that these will be met. We know we have the right to live peacefully and enjoy our life, we have the right to live without fear and harassment, the right to education and good health, the right to express our views, the right to choose how we want to live our lives - we have many other rights and needs that are met on a daily basis. However, children have to rely on adults to meet their needs, and even work out what the children's needs are. Adults talk "for" children, adults make executive decisions regarding the children's daily lives, adults make rules for children to follow, adults decide what children can and can't do. All adults act in the "best interest" of the children in their care.
Let's take a look at that last statement. DO adults always act in the "best interest" of the children in their care?

The Importance of Play in Children's Development and Learning

The relationship between play and learning seems obvious to many practitioners and parents, and yet there are still prejudices surrounding the importance of children's play: some people believe that children need to "work" not play, and that playing serves no useful purpose in a learning and development environment. This is surprising considering that play, with its high levels of motivation and potential enjoyment empowers children (as well as people of all ages)....