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

2. 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may be more withdrawn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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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