Be a secure base for toddlers to return to for “emotional refuelling” when encountering novel situations or social conflict and challenges.
Create regular opportunities to be in very small groups or 1:1 times with the key person.
Reduce frustration and conflict by keeping routines flexible so that young children can pursue their interests.
Understand that “emotional storms” are a sign of a child being overwhelmed by strong emotions such as anger, frustration, fear, anxiety and sadness.
Show empathy and stay close by to offer support and reassurance as the child calms after an emotional collapse.
Use real life experiences to help children to understand a wide range of emotions in others and themselves by talking about different emotions as they occur during play.
Model empathy and talk about others’ feelings. For example, Amaya is feeling sad today because she is missing her mummy.
Understand that young children communicate their feelings through their behaviours and respond by showing empathy for their underlying feelings
Demonstrate clear and consistent boundaries without being rigid and unreasonable
Take children seriously and understand their motivations and underlying reasons for their actions.
Show you are supportive by empathising when toddlers’ attempts at assertion and negotiation go wrong and helping them to find more effective ways.
Show fairness; apply rules consistently but reasonably and flexibly when necessary.
Support young children’s rights to be kept safe by others by helping them to assert themselves positively and by respecting their bodily integrity
