Young Children and Child Centered Spaces INEE Global Consultation 2009 Mary A. Moran, Ph.D. Christian Children’s Fund

Very Young Children Under Stress may be very clingy with primary caregivers may regress developmentally- especially in self help activities such as toilet training or feeding, or lose expressive language may be more aggressive may be more withdrawn may have sleep problems or nightmares

Very Young Children Under Stress may exhibit excessive crying may exhibit little affect

Primary Caregivers Under Stress may be less sensitive to the child’s cues may be less responsive to the child’s expression may be frustrated or irritated by increased caregiving demands at a time when there are other stresses may be less emotionally available to the young child may feel powerless- especially about safety

Young Children Don’t accurately assess physical safety, but are attuned to psychological safety Are very sensitive to and respond to the emotional state of their primary caregivers Believe adults can control things, keep them safe

Options for Use of Child Centered Spaces Choose to focus on a specific age group Set times for children of different age groups with age and developmentally appropriate activities Community discussions during times not set for children Parenting education and support times

For Very Young Children Encourage active caregiver involvement- times for caregivers to support each other in discussion as well as time for joint activity with their infants and toddlers Focus on caregiver-child interaction- not assuming work with caregivers alone will suffice or caring for children to reduce caregiver stress will suffice

For Very Young Children Cont’d Recognize the unique opportunities of feeding programs in accessing the very vulnerable and focusing on relationship activities Encourage language such as singing, storytelling Encourage interactive games and touch

As Children Enter the Preschool Age Range Encourage caregiver involvement and caregiver-child interactive activities, but a greater number of solitary child-focused activities and time without caregivers become more appropriate More imaginary activities can be a focus such as short dramas, but recognize the line between real and pretend can be very fuzzy for young children

Adaptations Necessary for Young Children Smaller number of children per adult or youth leader Working with and through caregivers in activities, planning and evaluation Different cautions around safety of materials- size, etc. Discussions with caregivers around discipline within the CCS

Adaptations Cont’d Training of facilitators/animators must include development of very young children, working with caregivers, facilitating interaction Care around choice of facilitators/animators regarding especially nonjudgmental approaches, capacity to work with different styles and encourage all

Adaptations Cont’d Training around recognizing need for referral in nonverbal or preverbal children Training regarding respect for child rearing differences within groups served and child protection Vigilance about stability in facilitators/animators Predictable routines