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Responsive caregiving: Reducing the stress in infant toddler care

Comment soulager le stress dans la protectopn infantile

Cuidado responsivo: Suavizar el stress en el cuidado d niños de 3 años

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Summary

The first three years of life are critical for children’s development and well-being. The care of these very young children is highly specialised and challenging work. Challenges in meeting the unique and varied needs of infants and toddlers in group care are compounded by the generally poor conditions of employment experienced by staff. When staff are emotionally stressed the stress can be transferred to their work and to the children, and can result in rigid routines and practices. In meeting the needs of infants and toddlers and easing the stresses for staff, this paper recognises the importance of responsive caregiving and will promote a primary-caregiver approach. This approach individualises and personalises the care of children in groups, supports relationships with families, and empowers staff.

Résumé

Les trois premières années de la vie sont critiques pour le développement et le bien-être des enfants. La garde d’enfants en bas âge est un travail très spécialisé et difficile mais motivant. Les difficultés à satisfaire aux besoins spécifiques et variés des tout-petits en accueil collectif sont aggravées par les conditions d’emploi généralement médiocres du personnel. Lorsque le personnel est stressé sur le paln émotif, ce stress peut se répercuter sur son travail et sur les enfants, et peut entraîner des routines et des pratiques rigides. Pour satisfaire aux besoins des tout-petits et soulager le stress du personnel, cette communication souligne l’importance d’une prise en charge attentive («responsive caregiving») et encourage l’approche de l’intervenant principal («primary care-giver»). Cette approche individualise et personnalise la garde d’enfants en groupes, soutient les rapports avec les familles, et permet au personnel de s’assumer.

Resumen

Los primeros tres años de vida son fundamentales en el desarrollo y el bienestar de los niños. El cuidado de los niños más pequeños es un trabajo altamente especializado y un desafío. El desafío de cubrir las únicas y diversas necesidades de los infantes y deambuladores bajo cuidado grupal se ven aumentadas por las condiciones de empleo del personal, generalmente bajas. Cuando el personal está emocionalmente estresado, el estrés puede verse transferido a su trabajo y a los niños, y puede dar como consecuencia rutinas y prácticas rígidas. Al cubrirse las necesidades de los infantes y deambuladores y reducirse el estrés del personal, la presente ponencia reconoce la importancia de un cuidado sensible y promueve el enfoque del cuidador primario. Dicho enfoque individualiza y personaliza el cuidado de niños en grupos, da apoyo a las relaciones con las familias, y otorga empoderamiento al personal.

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Margetts, K. Responsive caregiving: Reducing the stress in infant toddler care. IJEC 37, 77–84 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165748

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165748

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