- Use play and stories to positively support toddlers’ understanding of their physical selves and social identities.
- Share a child’s pleasure when they do something for themselves and celebrate by sharing with others such as parents, other children or educators.
- Recognise a child’s growing sense of agency and respect their attempts to gain independence by giving time for doing things for themselves in routines.
- Making choices is important for all children. Consider, with parents/carers and other professionals, ways in which you provide for children with disabilities to make choices.
- Provide opportunities to practise making choices and decisions such as when serving themselves from dishes on the lunch table.
- Support autonomy by involving them in the daily organisation of the home or group by setting the table, for example.
- Be close by and available to provide encouragement and support when a toddler needs it but show trust in their capabilities.
- Be aware of and alert to possible dangers, while recognising the importance of encouraging young children’s sense of exploration and risk-taking.
- Offer extra support to children in new situations where they may not understand the expectations or have confidence in their abilities.
- Recognise and value toddlers’ unique interests and abilities by following and building on what they show you about their play interests and preferences.
- Be sensitive to differences in attitudes and expectations amongst families and maintain a two-way communication about their values and approach.
- Recognise each child’s social and cultural context by talking about the places children go to, celebrations they enjoy and the people they love.
- Notice your interactions with children of different genders, ethnicities or abilities; are you conveying any unconscious bias? Are you actively challenging stereotypes and assumptions?
