Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Question..
Identify five (5) factors which pose risks to healthy child development. Think about both child and family risk factors that may impact on the caregiving environment.

Answer..
Family violence whether it be current or past
Alcohol/substance abuse, current or past, addictive behaviours
Unsafe sleeping practices such as co-sleeping with sibling or with parent who is on medication or uses drugs/alcohol or smokes.
Family history of neglect or abuse.
A parent or close relative or sibling with a history of assault or sexual offences.

Children need stable, sensitive, loving, stimulating relationships and environments in order to reach their potential. They are particularly vulnerable to witnessing and experiencing violence, abuse and neglectful circumstances and prolonged exposure to these circumstances can lead to ‘toxic stress’ for a child which changes the child’s brain development, sensitises the child to further stress, leads to heightened activity levels and affects future learning and concentration.
When children are traumatised, they find it very hard to regulate behaviour and soothe or calm themselves.

Does sound right or am I way off track..

Thanks
Nadine..

Oh another one..

Question...
List three (3) things educators could say or do that show children their choice to watch and observe play or others engage in learning experiences is respected

Answer..
• Provide advice and suggestions, but allow them the final decision.
• Be positive in our language—both verbal and non-verbal.
• Place the actual work on display as the children are extremely proud of what they have achieved and the way that we display it will, in turn, either demonstrate to the child we value it or devalue it.

Does this look ok or once again am I off track..

Thanks once again
Nadine...

I think both of your responses are good and well thought out!

Unsafe sleeping practices such as co-sleeping with sibling or with parent who is on medication or uses drugs/alcohol or smokes.

You may just need to edit this "co-sleeping with a sibling"... in some cultures it's very normal for a child to sleep with their sibling or with their parents, although I understand that you added "parent who is on drugs" etc, which would be a concern...

,
Lorina

Thanks...

I will just reword the co sleeping one..

Nadine...