What's Love Got to Do with It?

Exploring the concept of professional love, Carol Garboden Murray writes, "As early childhood educators, we understand that a powerful element of our work with children is in supporting their own reciprocal capacity for love and belonging… To be a part of this vital attachment is a wonderful privilege and, arguably, one of the most important aspects of our professional roles."

By analyzing a variety of sources, Yi-Huang Shih has summarized, "how love-based relationships may be developed between preschool teachers and young children in early childhood education. Among the approaches uncovered:

1. fostering love in preschool teachers’ hearts;
2. creating loving relationships between preschool teachers and young children;
3. providing opportunities for young children to practice loving behaviour;
4. giving young children freedom;
5. maintaining an open dialogue;
6. emphasising democratic participation;
7. avoiding indoctrination;
8. respecting young children’s experiences and discoveries;
9. allowing young children to make choices
10. understanding young children as individuals."

Or, as Garboden Murray asks: "How can we spend hour after hour, day after day, week after week changing children’s diapers, feeding them lunch, and rocking them to sleep, without falling in love with them?"

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

© 2005 Child Care Information Exchange - All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Return to Site