Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/caring-for-the-little-ones-the-caregiving-routines/5014270/
Day in and day out, infant and toddler caregivers spend most of their time feeding and diapering children and settling them down to sleep. B-O-R-I-N-G! Right? NOT SO, according to the passionate and verbal members of oure-mail network who have had a lively discussion on this topic.
I have often heard complaints from caregivers, "I'm so busy feeding and diapering babies that I don't have time for learning activities." Peggy Yackel counters that remark by saying, "In my view, the diapering, feeding, rocking, and so on, are the program for infants, along with the provision of an excellent learning environment." Remember that a child's brain doesn't turn off during these routines and there are many learning opportunities embedded in them.
Many of the caregivers in our discussion pointed out that these routine times are valuable one-on-one moments with infants, opportunities for bonding, emotional refueling and relationship building. From the child's point of view, these are the most important segments of the day. Someone is caring for their body - it's very personal! Hopefully, it is very positive and very nurturing.
Virtually all programs, both center-based and family child care, have systems developed for these routines, as reminders to get them ...