CHCCN305B
Safety and CareCare for BabiesCues
OverviewThis slide show will provide information on supporting
infants / babies emotional care needs and responding to cues which
include:TirednessAngerPainHungerIt will also provide information
relating to temperament and personality differences. As educators
we need to be tuned in to babies different ways of expressing their
emotions to ensure we are meeting their emotional care needs.
Cues and needsInfants cues and needs are met by the way we
respond to them in their first two years of life, which can
influence their ability to form trusting relationships for the rest
of their life.
NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDSQuality Area 5: Relationships with
childrenThis quality area of the National Quality Standard focuses
on relationships with children being responsive and respectful and
promoting childrens sense of security and belonging. Relationships
of this kind free children to explore the environment and engage in
play and learning. Standard 5.1 Respectful and equitable
relationships are developed and maintained with each child. Element
5.1.1 Interactions with each child are warm and responsive and
build trusting relationships. Source Acecqa.govNATIONAL QUALITY
STANDARDSAssessors may observe: predictable personal-care routines
that are rich and enjoyable experiences for babies and toddlers
Assessors may discuss how: educators and co-ordinators learn about
babies and toddlers non-verbal cues and communication strategies
staffing and grouping arrangements within a centre-based service
support the development of trusting relationships between educators
and babies and toddlers. Assessors may sight: the services policy
on interactions with children evidence that planned and spontaneous
experiences and routines provide opportunities for children to
engage in meaningful conversations with educators and
co-ordinators. Source- Acecqa.gov
Familiar infant cuesCue Possible MeaningGurgling
-ContentLaughing -HappyPointing -Needing/wanting somethingFidgeting
-RestlessnessGrizzling -Unhappy/uncomfortableSmiling
-Pleasure/contentSobbing -Distressed, hurtCrying -Hunger,
uncomfortable, lonely, hurt
Familiar infant cuesCue Possible MeaningWriggling - pain
UncomfortableScreaming - Anger, pain, hungerTurning Head away -
DistasteThrowing themselves on the floor - AngerThrowing items
across the room - AngerScrewing up face - Distaste, angerStaring
hard at something -Unsure, anxious
Source Image Google
Understanding Cues
Hunger Cues:A quick, calm and reassuring response from the
caregiver teaches the child to trust.Anticipate when an infant is
likely to feel hungryEnsure the feed is ready and waiting for
themensure the hungry cry is dealt with immediately.
Source Image Google
Understanding CuesAnger Cues:Infants begin to demonstrate
recognisable outbursts of anger from about four to six months.
Anger is about developing a sense of power and control. Infants
express anger:When a toy is taken away from themWhen they are held
and want to get downWhen they are stopped from doing something they
want toWhen the caregivers leave the room for a period of timeWhen
they are put down for a sleep but want to stay awakeSource Image
Google
Responding to infants anger cues:When responding to infants
anger cues an educator can:
Acknowledge the infants rights to be angryPrevent the cause of
anger if possibleProvide comfort while allowing the infant to
cryEncourage toddlers to verbalise their anger and to take part in
energetic activitiesTiredness Cues INFANTS 0-12MTHSpulling at
earsclosing fistsfluttering eyelidsjerky arm and leg
movementsyawninga worried look on your childs facearching
backwardsdifficulty focusing (your child might even go
cross-eyed)sucking on fingers
Source Image Google OLDER BABIES /
TODDLERSclumsinessclinginessgrizzling cryingdemands for constant
attentionboredom with toysfussiness with food.
Responding to tiredness cuesRespond quickly to early signs of
tirednessFollow the individuals routine and ritualsSome infants
need to be rocked, patted or rubbed gently on their backsSome
babies have a bottle or breast feed before sleepOthers prefer to be
placed in their cots and fall asleep on their ownRespond in a calm
and relaxed way to settle the infant/toddler into a sleep, having
everything ready before hand
Pain cuesIt is important that the educator responds quickly to
any crying baby:
It is common for very young infants to respond in a high-pitched
stressful cry.Infants in pain will cry vigorously for about half a
minute to a minuteIf the child continues to scream or cry strongly
for time after the incident, then they should be referred to a
medical practitionerInfants experiencing great pain may also go
into shock and not cry out at all
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCESEvery child has a different personality
and way of responding to other people.Children have different
temperaments and dispositions.From birth, each child will display
their own unique temperament.
Source Image Google
Temperament is based on 3 key elementsEmotionality Is the
tendency to be distressed, displaying either fear or
anger.Sociability - refers to the tendency to prefer the company of
others rather than be alone.Activity Level - is the tendency to be
active, with high energy levels, always on the move, or display low
levels of activity and a placid natureTEMPERAMENT TYPESEasy
regularity of eating, sleeping, toileting; positive response to new
people and situations; positive moods mostly; emotional expression
moderate; quick to establish new routinesDifficult irregular
patterns of eating, sleeping, toileting; high energy level;
negative response to new people and new situations; mood swings;
emotional expression high, reacts negatively and cries
frequently.Slow to Warm regularity of eating, sleeping and
toileting; somewhat negative to new situations and people; adapts
poorly to change in routines; low intensity of emotional
expressions
EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF BABIESThe emotional needs of babies and all
children are universal they need warm, caring and nurturing
environments where trusted adults treat them with dignity and
respect.They need educators who understand that children need
consistent, long-term guidance and support to become emotionally
healthy human beings.They need educators who understand child
development and are aware that children do not think in the same
way as adults, nor do they have the same understandings about the
world around them
Emotional needs for babies Depending on the age and temperament
of the child, they may experience several emotions in a very short
space of time.They may laugh, cry, express anger, fear or joy, all
within the space of a few minutes!This roller coaster of emotions
requires carers who understand that childrens emotions are usually
short-lived and they will quickly move on if supported to do
so.
Emotional distressBabies and Toddlers emotional distress can
manifest in a number of ways depending on the childs age,
temperament and the individual circumstances.Common manifestations
of emotional distress include:WithdrawalOutbursts of angerRejecting
comfortingCrying or sobbingBehaving out of character eg an
exuberant child becomes quiet
SUPPORTIVE RESPONSES BY EDUCATORSacknowledging an infants/babys
feelings (eg. You seem cranky Sam, perhaps youre tired
now?)rocking, patting gently and soothing behaviourssinging and
talking with babyproviding food/ drinkschanging the babys
nappyproviding baby with their special comforter if appropriate
(eg. Dummy, blanket, bear)cuddlingadministering first aid such as
an ice pack (if tolerated) for injurya quiet break (such as a walk
outside)finding a duplicate toy if one has been taken
ACTIVITY: Respond to cues and needs of Babies/Infants
Referenceswww.acecqa.gov.au
