Dealing with feelings in early years and childcare settings

In early years and childcare settings, dealing with children's feelings is crucial for their emotional and social development. Understanding and addressing these emotions effectively can significantly impact a child's overall well-being and learning. In this blog, Anna delves into the importance of managing feelings in early years settings, provides key definitions, highlights best practices, and offers recommendations for implementing relevant legislation and regulations.

Key facts and statistics

According to the Department for Education, around 1.7 million children are enrolled in early years and childcare settings across the UK.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework emphasises the importance of personal, social, and emotional development as one of its prime areas.
Research by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) shows that early emotional support can lead to better academic and social outcomes later in life.

Key definitions

Emotional literacy - The ability to understand, express, and manage emotions effectively. It's a critical skill that helps children navigate their social world.
Social-emotional development - This refers to the process through which children understand and manage their emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Well-being - A holistic concept that includes physical, mental, and emotional health. In early years, well-being is closely linked to how children feel and express their emotions.

Best practices for implementing legislation and regulations

Understanding the EYFS framework

The EYFS framework mandates that early years providers promote the emotional development of children. This includes creating a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their feelings.

Training and professional development

Continuous professional development (CPD) is essential for early years practitioners. Training should cover emotional literacy, recognising signs of emotional distress, and strategies for supporting children’s emotional development.

Creating an emotionally supportive environment

Implementing practices that foster a supportive atmosphere is key. This includes:

Positive relationships - Building strong, positive relationships with children helps them feel secure and valued.
Emotionally rich curriculum - Incorporating activities that allow children to explore and express their feelings, such as storytelling, role-playing, and art.

Legislation and regulatory references

The Children Act 1989 emphasises the welfare of the child as paramount.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice (2015) highlights the importance of addressing the emotional needs of children with SEND.

Click here for our wide range childcare online training courses accredited by the CPD Certification Service.

Recognising and understanding emotions

Understanding and recognising emotions is the first step in managing feelings in early years settings. Practitioners should be trained to identify a range of emotions, from happiness to anxiety, and understand the underlying causes. Emotional literacy programmes can be integrated into the curriculum to help children label and talk about their feelings.

Supporting emotional expression

Creating opportunities for children to express their feelings is crucial. This can be achieved through:

Circle time - A structured time where children can share their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Creative activities - Art, music, and drama activities provide outlets for emotional expression.
Storytelling - Stories that reflect different emotions can help children understand and discuss their own feelings.

Managing challenging behaviours

Challenging behaviours often stem from unexpressed or misunderstood emotions. Practitioners should adopt a positive behaviour management approach, which includes:

Consistency - Clear, consistent rules and expectations help children feel secure.
Positive reinforcement - Praising positive behaviour encourages children to repeat it.
Calm down strategies - Teaching children techniques to calm down, such as deep breathing or using a quiet corner, can be effective.

Recommendations

Ongoing training - Ensure that all staff members receive regular training on emotional literacy and behaviour management. ComplyPlus™ offers comprehensive training modules that cover these areas.
Parental involvement - Engage parents in the process by providing them with resources and training to support their children’s emotional development at home.
Regular monitoring and evaluation - Use tools like ComplyPlus™ to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of emotional support strategies. Regular feedback can help improve practices and outcomes.

Conclusion

Dealing with feelings in early years and childcare settings is a fundamental aspect of promoting children’s overall well-being and development. By implementing best practices and adhering to relevant legislation, practitioners can create an environment that supports children’s emotional growth.

Continuous professional development and the use of comprehensive compliance management tools like ComplyPlus™ can enhance the quality of care and support provided. Click here to learn more.

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.