As the saying goes – “It takes a village to raise a child”
Fostering a child’s active contribution to their world comes from having a positive sense of identity where they can experience respectful and responsive relationships with those around them. When children move into early childhood settings, they broaden their experiences as participants in different relationships and communities.
What is community?
‘Community’ can mean different things to different people.
To one person, it might mean the connection between the educators and families within a centre.
To someone else, community might be their neighbourhood as the centre engages within local community centres, local schools or local parks.
When we refer to a ‘sense of community’, what do we mean?
Having a ‘sense of community’ is generally thought to be when members of a community experience positive feelings like influence, belonging, integration and connectedness.
How do we achieve quality outcomes for children via their community?
Being connected to a community is essential for children because this promotes a sense of identity, learning and belonging. The relationship supports active participation and continuity of learning. Children and families are connected to supportive relationship and resource networks.
Positive relationships support children’s development, wellbeing and learning. A community provides a young child vital relationship context for continued learning and development.
As infants, children’s development, wellbeing and learning thrive through positive early interactions that are consistent, secure and responsive. A child’s first relationship begins in the family but then extends to others beyond the family who have important roles in their life.
Educators are a significant part of many children’s relationship environment, fostering positive interactions and relationships between children, peers and adults which strengthen children’s outcomes.
Positive community connections support children’s belonging and learning
When children feel safe, supported and secure, they have the confidence to play, explore and learn. An early year’s education and care service that is strongly connected to its community is inclusive, welcoming and connected to the culture of children’s families. They also provide nurturing, respectful and reciprocal relationships with children and their families. At Shine Early Learning, our connectedness extends beyond the child and their immediate family, we also share regular interactions with extended family members.
A child’s sense of identity is enhanced through positive relationships and community connectedness
Collaboratively, relationships with their families and communities support the development of children understanding their self by defining who they are, what they can become, and how and why they are important to others.
Community participation supports children to contribute to their world
