Fostering Autonomy &

Independence
How to encourage and discourage
children to develop Autonomy
Allow children to make choices
Give children time to go through the
process and allow them to struggle when
learning.
When children have a problem, encourage
them to answer their own questions.
Let them do for themselves. Dont do for
children what they can do for themselves.
Of course, there are times when they may
need help
Do not take away hope. If a child is determined to
try out for something they can(provided it is safe),
give them the opportunity to go through the process
and be supportive of them.
If they succeed, the parent and them may be
pleasantly surprised. If they dont, they will learn
from the experience and the parent will be right there
by their side.
Let children speak for themselves. It is easy to answer a
question that someone asks a child without even thinking.
Allowing children to speak for themselves is a mark of
respect for who they are.
Encouraging autonomy requires lots of patience, planning ahead
and being very flexible. When tasks take time or are challenging
for little ones to accomplish, we often over-supervise or take
over and do it for them. It is faster for us to do it, we may be
better at accomplishing the task, and it is hard for us to watch
them struggle. But it is in that very struggle that growth takes
place, and every time they accomplish something by
themselves, it builds their confidence.
Responsibilities and Obligations
regarding Children
There are regulations that help to protect children and
their interactions with others, including with child care
workers. People who work with children and children
services need to be compliant with regulations and keep
up to date with changes in legislation.
Each State and Territory in Australia has legislation that aims
to protect children.
Children and Young Persons
(Care and Protection) Act 1998
In New South Wales recent changes have occurred, with the Children
and Young persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 which was
introduced in November 2000. The Act brought major changes to the
way care and protection systems function in NSW.
Children now have the right to participate in the decisions made about
them, which means they have the right to clear information, the
opportunity to express their views, and the right to be informed about
the decisions being made and to be given the reasons why decisions
have been made.
CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION
The new Act establishes and enforces the minimum standards of care and
safety with which service providers must comply. Each type of care service has
its own regulations and licensing requirements.
In Family Daycare schemes have been set in pre-schools, caregivers are not
allowed to use any form of corporal punishment (physical punishment for
wrong doing) on children in their care, but use moderate and fair discipline.
Childcare workers are also required by law to notify the Department of
Community Services of suspected cases of child abuse.
All people caring for children must act in the best interests of the children and
take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of children in their care.
People employed in child-related areas must undergo a screening before
employed and are excluded if they have a criminal record that violates the
safety of children.
Contemporary Issues
Smacking
Attention Decit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Decit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
Gender Differences in behaviour and its
management