Fostering children’s holistic development and well-being is foundational to an RECE’s practice and reflects their unique expertise and experience.
RECEs are familiar with the common developmental domains and continually seek to develop a deeper understanding of child development in their work with diverse children, families and communities. These domains, listed below, are linked as they support and influence each other:
- Social and emotional;
- Communication and language;
- Cognitive; and
- Physical.
In summer 2022, the College published the Practice Note on Child Development, a resource to support members to reflect upon their responsibilities and practices and strengthen their knowledge of ways to promote the developmental domains, such as through relationships, co-creation of environments and curriculum. This fall we launched the first three sections of the Practice Guideline on Child Development and in the next few weeks, the remaining sections of the practice guideline will go live.
What is the Practice Guideline on Child Development?
The Practice Guideline on Child Development is framed around the understanding that each child develops in unique ways and within diverse family structures, communities and cultures. It is also grounded in the idea that educators, families and communities are partners in supporting children’s development.
Standard I describes collaborative relationships with families as being essential. It says that RECEs recognize the value and diversity of all families who “are of primary importance in children’s development and well-being. [Children] are best understood in the context of their families, cultures and communities” (Standard I: B.3).
How can the Practice Guideline support your daily practice?
You can use this resource to expand your understanding of the:
- important role educators and families play in children’s development;
- unique rights of children and ways of viewing and supporting every child;
- different factors that influence children’s development;
- broad patterns associated with development, and how understanding them can help you be attuned and responsive; and
- strategies to co-create diverse and inclusive learning environments that support the children and families in your care.
Recommendations for using this new practice guideline:
- Take your time to review the material and additional resources.
- Focus on areas that are most relevant to your current practice or sections that challenge you.
- Engage in collaborative inquiry and critical reflection during a staff or team meeting, or share in a community of practice.
- Actively engage in collaborative discussions to reflect on, challenge and question the complexities of practice.
- Use this resource to support you with your related Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) portfolio goals and activities.