[Skyler McCormick]

It can be difficult but try to make time to have a solo moment with each child in your care. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation but just exchanging eye contact and sharing a laugh or something about how you appreciate them can help increase a connection rapidly.

[Eliot McIntosh]

Engaging in active listening, including their perspectives during activities, and interacting with them frequently.

[Kylie Lambert]

I would encourage them to talk to the children about their families, what they like to do outside of school, and what their favorite things are. Just asking any questions you can to get to know the child better

[Marika Fagan]

Lots of listening, getting to know a child’s likes and interests. Giving the child some direct one on one attention. Building a positive relationship with the family.

[Yancen]

Let kids tell you their stories and ideas. Show you’re interested by nodding and asking questions. This makes them feel important.Smile and speak kindly. When kids feel welcome, they feel safe with you.Say something nice when they do something well, like, “Good job sharing!” This makes them feel proud.

[Elizabeth]

To make sure you always return when a child is Serving you And if you get frustrated to always remember about your mental health, so you don’t take it out on The children

[Lauren Ashley Marasigan]

What advice would you give to other Early learning Providers who want to build connections with children in their classroom?

1) Greet children with warmth and respect and make the space feel welcome. This helps the child gain trust and feel confident to open up in their learning environment and with their childcare provider.

2) Actively listen and validate feelings.

3) Provide fun and engaging activities with the child in mind.

4) Allow the child to lead activities sometimes and give them the confidence to do things independently.

5) Take the time to know them and their interests.

[Jewell Rose]

Start with interacting, listening, and following their lead on play. Make sure the child feels safe and comfortable taking all these steps at their pace and how they like to do it. Some children love to talk while others may like to do an activity while your presence is just with them and not necessarily actively talking. Small ways of communication can still be seen at this time but it’s more studdle.

[Jewels A]

To effectively create meaningful connections with the children without causing them to feel disconnected, early learning providers should be present and engaging, giving individual attention while using positive communication. For making such routines as regular as possible, which would make the children feel secure, requires taking into consideration each child’s individual needs and learning styles. Communications can be supported through active listening, visual schedules, and behavior charts in order to make sure that children understand expectations. Taking the time for one-on-one interactions, modeling social skills, and incorporating play into daily activities builds relationships and fosters a deeper understanding of others. In addition, responding to children while they express emotions with emotional availability and empathy helps build trust and strengthen relationships. Open communication with families will then maintain a holistic approach toward supporting each child’s development, and patience with flexibility will allow providers to adapt to the diverse needs of the children in their care.

[Jada Pieterick]

Get to know each student’s name first. Then refer to them by their first name when you talk with them. Get to know their interests and show interest in what they are interested in. Ask them questions and make them feel important. Work on finding something that you can connect with and keep building that connection.

[Betsy Holder]

I would suggest spending 1-on-1 time with the child, playing with them in a activity they enjoy, actively listening, staying positive, and not pushing it, let the child come to you if they are shy.

[Rachel Coon]

Encouraging time not only with you but with the other children. If someone is being left out, intentionally or not, work to include them with the other children. Getting involved and modeling kind behaviors helps.

[Anwesha Ray]

First we need to build trust and communication. We need to hear them and really ‘see’ them. Give them one on one time and have patience. Give them positive redirection and choices so the children feel under control.

[Kay]

I would tell them to talk and play with the kids instead of just standing on the sidelines and watching. While floating, I was with a 5 year old classroom and noticed that the teachers didn’t really interact with the kids. I was able to build good relationships by playing tag and other fun games with them. Every time I’m back in their classroom they give me hugs and ask to play Star Wars tag with me.

[Maryleen Wonne]

Listening, getting to know them, interacting with them, paying attention, playing, singing, dancing, and talking one on one with each and every child is important when building connections with children.