Sensory Overload in Children During Christmas: Understanding and Supporting Your Child

Written on December 11, 2024. Posted in Blog. No Comments on Sensory Overload in Children During Christmas: Understanding and Supporting Your Child

Sensory Overload in Children During Christmas: Understanding and Supporting Your Child

The Christmas season is a magical time filled with lights, music, family gatherings, and festive traditions. But for many children, this time of year can also bring sensory overload—a feeling of being overwhelmed by too much stimulation. Understanding sensory overload and how to help your child navigate the chaos of the holiday season can make Christmas more enjoyable for everyone.

What Is Sensory Overload?

Sensory overload happens when a child’s senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste—are bombarded with more input than they can process. For example, bright flashing lights, loud holiday music, crowded spaces, and new smells from Christmas cooking can all combine to overwhelm a child’s nervous system.

While every child can feel overstimulated at times, children with heightened sensitivities, such as those with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, or anxiety, are particularly prone to sensory overload.

Why Does Christmas Amplify Sensory Overload?

Christmas brings a unique mix of sensory triggers that can be overwhelming for children:

Bright Decorations: Twinkling lights, shiny ornaments, and colourful wrapping paper are visually stimulating but can feel chaotic.

Loud Noises: Carols, crowds at holiday events, and noisy toys can overwhelm sensitive ears.

Social Demands: Large family gatherings or visiting new places introduce new faces, sounds, and expectations that can make a child feel out of control.

Changes in Routine: The excitement of the season often disrupts familiar routines, like bedtimes, meals, and quiet time, which are crucial for a child’s sense of stability.

New Textures and Smells: From scratchy Christmas jumpers to the smell of pine trees and festive foods, there’s a lot to process.

Signs Your Child May Be Experiencing Sensory Overload

It’s important to recognise when your child is becoming overstimulated. Look out for these signs:

Irritability or unexpected meltdowns.

Covering their ears or eyes, or trying to retreat from noise or bright lights.

Restlessness, pacing, or excessive movement.

Clinginess or withdrawal from social interactions.

Difficulty calming down, even when the stimulation stops.

Tips for Preventing and Managing Sensory Overload

Christmas doesn’t have to be overwhelming for your child. With a few strategies, you can help them navigate the festivities while feeling supported and understood:

Stick to Familiar Routines When Possible

While flexibility is sometimes necessary during the holidays, keeping regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and quiet times can help your child feel grounded.

Prepare Them for New Experiences

Talk to your child in advance about what to expect during family gatherings, events, or outings. Visual schedules or social stories can help children anticipate and feel prepared for changes.

Create a Sensory-Friendly Space

Designate a quiet, calming space where your child can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Fill it with familiar comforts like their favourite toys, books, or a weighted blanket.

Set Limits on Stimulation

Limit exposure to things that might trigger sensory overload, such as keeping holiday lights steady (rather than flashing) or playing soft background music instead of loud carols.

Give Them Tools to Self-Regulate

Encourage self-regulation techniques like deep breathing, squeezing a stress ball, or using noise-cancelling headphones. These tools can help your child regain a sense of calm.

Practice Patience and Empathy

Remember that sensory overload isn’t a behaviour problem—it’s a response to feeling overwhelmed. Approach your child’s reactions with patience and understanding, validating their feelings.

Adjusting Expectations

The holidays often come with high expectations of joy and togetherness, but it’s important to adjust these expectations to match your child’s needs. Focus on creating moments that they enjoy, even if that means skipping certain traditions or making adjustments to fit their comfort level.

Conclusion

Christmas doesn’t have to mean sensory overload for children. By understanding their sensory needs, recognising the signs of overstimulation, and creating a supportive environment, you can help your child experience the joy of the season without the overwhelm.

Every family’s Christmas looks different—and that’s okay. The most important thing is creating a holiday that feels magical, safe, and loving for your child.

Smiling woman with open arms bends down to welcome a toddler, meeting them eye-to-eye with warmth and affection

Why Teaching Children to Empathise is More Important Than Just Saying “Sorry”

Written on November 7, 2024. Posted in Blog. No Comments on Why Teaching Children to Empathise is More Important Than Just Saying “Sorry”

Why Teaching Children to Empathise is More Important Than Just Saying “Sorry”

In our society, teaching children to say “sorry” is often seen as a cornerstone of good manners. But while a simple apology can be polite, it doesn’t always mean that children genuinely understand the impact of their actions or feel empathy for the other person. Instead of merely teaching children to say “sorry,” we should focus on helping them empathise—truly understand and care about how their actions affect others. Building empathy helps children develop emotional intelligence, form stronger relationships, and engage in genuine conflict resolution. Here’s how we can start teaching children to empathise rather than parrot an apology.

Explain the “Why” Behind the Apology

Instead of immediately prompting a child to say “sorry” after they’ve hurt or upset someone, take a moment to explain why their actions may have caused harm. Help them understand what the other person might be feeling and encourage them to imagine being in the other person’s shoes.

Example: If a child takes a toy from another, instead of saying, “Say sorry,” try, “How do you think your friend feels now that you’ve taken their toy?”

Goal: The focus is on recognising emotions rather than fulfilling an expected behaviour. By thinking through how their actions affect others, children learn that their actions have emotional consequences.

Use Role-Playing to Practise Empathy

Role-playing can help children understand different emotions and situations from various perspectives. Try acting out scenarios with them where they are on both sides of a conflict. For example, take turns pretending to be the person who took the toy and the person who lost it, discussing how each person feels.

Example: Ask questions like, “How would you feel if someone didn’t let you play with a toy you really like?” or “What could you do to make your friend feel better?”

Goal: The role-play reinforces the concept of empathy by allowing children to explore feelings in a safe, controlled environment.

Encourage Reflective Listening

Teach children how to listen and respond thoughtfully by asking them to reflect on what others say. This helps children recognise the importance of listening to emotions and shows them how to respond with empathy.

Example: If a child is upset about being excluded, encourage your child to listen and then say something like, “It sounds like you felt sad when they didn’t let you play. I understand why that hurt.”

Goal: Reflective listening shows children that being kind and empathetic includes acknowledging others’ feelings. This builds emotional awareness and validation.

Encourage Reparative Actions Over Words

Instead of insisting on an apology, suggest a reparative action that can help make things right. This helps children connect the idea of empathy with real solutions, showing them that kindness involves action, not just words.

Example: If a child hurt someone’s feelings, encourage them to ask, “What can I do to make you feel better?” or suggest they share a favourite toy as a peace offering.

Goal: This approach teaches children that making amends is about considering the other person’s needs, not simply saying “sorry” and moving on.

Read Stories That Model Empathy

Stories are an effective way to teach empathy because they allow children to see conflict and resolution through the eyes of characters. Choose books that show characters recognising mistakes, making amends, or understanding others’ feelings. Discuss the emotions and resolutions with your child to deepen their understanding of empathy.

Examples of Books: “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig, which focuses on empathy and inclusion, or “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson, which shows how empathy can turn conflicts into friendships.

Goal: Stories provide safe, relatable examples of empathy in action and allow children to think about how characters’ actions affect each other.

Focus on “Feeling Words” to Build Emotional Vocabulary

Helping children name and recognise different feelings lays the foundation for empathy. By building an emotional vocabulary, children become better at recognising how others might feel and are more likely to respond with care.

Example: Instead of just saying, “You hurt her feelings,” help children identify specific emotions: “She might feel sad, frustrated, or even angry because you didn’t let her play.”

Goal: Expanding their emotional vocabulary makes it easier for children to understand their own feelings and empathise with others’ emotions.

Be a Role Model for Empathy

Children often mirror the behaviours they see in adults. Show empathy in your daily interactions, whether by listening closely when someone is upset, expressing understanding, or showing patience. When you make a mistake, model empathy by acknowledging how your actions affected someone else.

Example: If you’re in a rush and accidentally snap at someone, apologise sincerely and explain, “I was in a hurry, but that wasn’t fair to you. I understand if it made you feel unappreciated.”

Goal: Modelling empathy teaches children that it’s okay to acknowledge mistakes and that caring about others’ feelings is valuable.

Use the “Three Steps of Empathy” Framework

A structured approach can make empathy-building easier for children. Try teaching them these three simple steps:

Identify the other person’s emotion (e.g., “Are they feeling sad or angry?”).

Understand why the person feels that way (e.g., “What happened to make them feel this way?”).

Respond with a caring action (e.g., “What could I do to make them feel better?”).

This framework gives children a mental checklist to work through whenever they’re in a conflict, making empathy a natural habit over time.

Conclusion

Teaching empathy takes patience, creativity, and a shift away from focusing solely on polite apologies. When children learn to empathise, they develop emotional skills that go far beyond simply saying “sorry.” Empathy allows them to build meaningful relationships, understand others’ perspectives, and genuinely care about the impact of their actions. By prioritising empathy over empty apologies, we empower children to grow into compassionate, emotionally aware individuals who value kindness in both words and actions.

The Role of Social Connection

Written on October 8, 2024. Posted in Blog. No Comments on The Role of Social Connection

Strong social connections in early childhood are the building blocks of a child’s emotional and social well-being. Research shows that those early experiences shape how children interact with the world, influencing everything from forming friendships to managing emotions and working well with others. According to the Centre for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), strong social connections provide both protection and support, offering the emotional foundation that helps children thrive.

As the CSSP puts it, “Constructive and supportive social connections help buffer parents from stressors and encourage nurturing behaviours that promote secure attachments in young children.” For aspiring childcare professionals, helping children build these connections is key. Through play, educators can create spaces where children feel safe, secure, and free to bond with their peers. This early support doesn’t just boost their well-being now but also sets them up for success in their future relationships and careers.

The Power of Play in Building Relationships

Play isn’t just a way for kids to pass the time; it’s a vital part of how they learn and grow. Through play, children boost their cognitive skills, social-emotional understanding, and language abilities, especially when they have the support of caring educators. Studies show that when children engage in cooperative play with their peers, they pick up important skills like empathy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution—skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Types of Play That Foster Connections:

Cooperative Play: This kind of play encourages kids to work together and understand one another, helping them build teamwork skills.
Pretend Play: When kids dive into imaginative worlds, they explore different social roles, which helps them develop empathy and see things from other people’s perspectives.
Group Activities: These not only promote communication and sharing but also teach kids how to resolve conflicts and collaborate effectively.

For those working in childcare, facilitating these types of play is crucial. It’s about creating environments where children can form meaningful friendships and strengthen their social and emotional skills. Aspiring childcare professionals have the incredible opportunity to harness the power of play, guiding kids as they learn to cooperate, solve problems, and communicate with each other. By fostering these experiences, educators create a vibrant atmosphere where every child can thrive and flourish.

Emotional and Behavioural Regulation through Play

Play plays a crucial role in helping children learn how to manage their emotions. When kids take part in activities like drama or collaborative games, they get to practise handling strong feelings like frustration and excitement in a safe space. Dr Evgenia Theodotou from the University of East London points out that drama, in particular, can really boost concentration and engagement, which supports personal growth.

As educators, creating an environment where children feel safe to express their emotions is essential. By encouraging activities that promote emotional expression—think art projects or role-playing—early years practitioners can help kids build healthy coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions and behaviours. Courses like “Emotion Coaching” equip educators with the skills to guide children through these experiences, helping them understand and effectively regulate their feelings.

How Educators Can Foster Strong Social Bonds

Early years educators play a crucial role in helping children build social connections by fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere. Research shows that personal and social skills really thrive in environments that encourage freedom and creativity. Activities like drawing, music, and drama provide children with fantastic opportunities to engage with one another, paving the way for emotional growth.

For those looking to make a difference as childcare workers, it’s important to get training that dives into understanding the emotional and social needs of children. Courses such as “Supporting Emotional and Behavioural Regulation” offer valuable insights into child psychology, giving educators the tools they need to create nurturing and inclusive spaces where children can develop their social skills.

Why This Matters for Your Career in Childcare

For anyone keen to kickstart a career in early years education, being able to support children’s social and emotional development is invaluable. There’s a growing demand for professionals who can nurture strong social bonds through play and arts-based activities. By creating environments where children feel free to explore and connect with each other, early years educators play a vital role in shaping the futures of the little ones in their care.

Gaining practical experience is essential to developing these skills, and courses like the “Early Years Educator” programme offer the perfect mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. In settings such as nurseries, pre-schools, and reception classes, aspiring educators will have the chance to guide children in building relationships that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Connections and Early Relationships

Play fosters strong social connections among children—connections that are vital for their development. For those contemplating a career in childcare, understanding how to nurture these relationships, particularly through play, will enable them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children in their care.

If you’re eager to embark on a fulfilling journey in early childhood education, why not explore our diverse range of courses, including the Early Years Educator program. This is your opportunity to make a positive difference in children’s lives. Investing in training that highlights the significance of social connections is an essential step towards becoming an effective early years educator. So, let’s celebrate the power of play and connection, one joyful interaction at a time.

How Animals Enhance Emotional Development in Children

Written on October 8, 2024. Posted in Blog. No Comments on How Animals Enhance Emotional Development in Children

Animals have a unique ability to support our children’s emotional growth in profound ways. Whether through interactions with family pets or simply observing animals in the park, these experiences can significantly foster emotional intelligence (EI) in young children. Emotional intelligence helps children manage their own feelings, understand others’ emotions, and build stronger, healthier relationships—skills that are crucial both in the classroom and at home.

At the London School of Childcare Studies, we believe in nurturing these essential life skills from an early age. In this article, we’ll explore how animals contribute to the development of emotional intelligence, sharing practical examples and research that demonstrate the impactful nature of these interactions.

What is Emotional Intelligence and Why is It Important?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is all about understanding and managing emotions — both our own and others’. It’s the ability to express feelings in a healthy way, empathise with others, and form positive relationships. For children, this is key to:

Building Friendships: Emotionally intelligent children tend to make friends more easily because they can read social cues and respond in kind.
Handling Tough Situations: EI helps children navigate difficult emotions like frustration, anxiety, or sadness, making them more resilient.
Doing Well in School: Although it may seem like EI is all about emotions, it’s also linked to learning. A study in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education shows that children with higher emotional intelligence tend to do better in school because they can focus, manage stress, and work well with others.

But how do animals come into play? Let’s take a look at how our furry, feathered, and even scaly friends can help children develop these crucial life skills.

What Animals Teach Us About Caring for Others

Have you ever noticed how your child responds emotionally to a family pet or even to animals in books and films? These moments are more than just cute interactions — they’re teaching your child empathy. When children care for or observe animals, they learn to think about someone else’s needs and feelings, which is a critical part of emotional intelligence.

For example, the RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index shows that there’s a growing recognition of how connected humans, animals, and the environment are. The report highlights how children who regularly engage with animals are more likely to show kindness and empathy — both towards animals and people.

How to Foster Empathy at Home or in Early Years Settings:

At home: If you have a pet, involve your child in their care. Let them help with feeding or grooming. These small actions teach responsibility and care for another living being.
In early years settings: If a classroom pet isn’t an option, consider virtual animal experiences. Many zoos and farms offer live streams of animals that children can observe. You can use these opportunities to talk about what the animals might be feeling or needing at different times.

Social Skills Through Shared Animal Experiences

Working together to care for animals or learning about them in a group can also enhance children’s social skills. Whether it’s helping out with a school pet or taking turns to look after a neighbour’s rabbit, children learn valuable life skills like cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.

Research from the University of Southampton found that children who grow up with pets are more likely to develop strong social competencies. They communicate better, work well in teams, and are more empathetic — skills that are essential not just for academic success but for life.

Real-World Example: Imagine a group of children in an early years setting taking care of a classroom hamster. They have to agree on who feeds it, who cleans its cage, and who gets to hold it next. These kinds of group tasks not only teach responsibility but also help children navigate social interactions in a low-stakes environment, building their confidence in working with others.

Overcoming Fears and Building Emotional Resilience

What if your child is afraid of animals? This is a common challenge, but it can also be an opportunity to build emotional resilience. Gradually introducing children to animals can help them manage their fears and anxieties, teaching them coping mechanisms that they can use in other areas of their life.

Tips for Introducing Children to Animals:

Start small: If your child is nervous around animals, start with a gentle animal like a guinea pig or a rabbit. Let them observe before touching or interacting.
Use stories and media: Books and nature documentaries are great tools. Read animal-themed books together, like The Gruffalo or Dear Zoo, and talk about the animals’ emotions. What might the animals be feeling in each situation?
Virtual pet adoptions: In a classroom where live animals aren’t feasible, you could “adopt” an animal online. Some zoos and wildlife organisations allow children to track their adopted animal and receive updates, helping them form a connection.

Nurturing Compassion for All Animals

Children are naturally curious about all kinds of animals, not just pets. A study from the University of Exeter found that younger children tend to show less speciesism — they care just as much about farm animals as they do about pets. This natural empathy presents an incredible opportunity for early years educators and parents to nurture compassion and respect for all living beings.

You don’t need to live on a farm to introduce your child to different animals. Visits to local petting zoos, farms, or even nature reserves can spark conversations about how different animals live and what they need to be happy and healthy.

Activity Idea: Take your child to a petting zoo or farm, and as you go, ask them questions like, “What do you think the sheep are feeling right now?” or “Why do you think the cows need so much space?” These types of questions encourage children to think more deeply about animals’ experiences, which builds empathy and moral reasoning.

Supporting Emotional Growth Through Animal Observation

Even if your family or classroom doesn’t have a pet, simply observing animals in nature can be a powerful tool for emotional growth. Watching birds, squirrels, or even insects helps children learn patience and mindfulness — two key components of emotional intelligence. Dr. Sandra McCune’s research shows that children who regularly interact with animals, even indirectly, are better able to regulate their emotions and show increased empathy.

How to Incorporate Animal Observation into Your Day:

Mindful walks: Take your child for a walk in the park and encourage them to observe the animals around them. How are the birds behaving? What sounds do they make? Focusing on these details helps children become more mindful, which in turn can help them regulate their own emotions.
Set up a bird feeder: If you have outdoor space, setting up a bird feeder can be a great way to introduce children to the idea of caring for animals and observing their behaviour up close.

Practical Ideas for Early Years Educators and Parents

Bringing animals into the emotional development of children doesn’t have to be complicated or require a pet at home. Here are some more simple, practical ways to incorporate animals into your everyday routines:

Storytime: Choose animal-themed stories that teach emotional lessons. Books like Winnie the Pooh are great for discussing emotions and relationships.
Animal Art: Have your child draw or paint their favourite animal and talk about why they like that animal. You could even have them create an “emotion zoo,” where each animal represents a different feeling.
Role-Playing: Encourage children to pretend to be different animals. This allows them to explore different emotions in a safe and playful way.

Nurturing a Kinder Generation

By understanding and nurturing the emotional intelligence of children through animal interactions, we can raise a kinder, more empathetic generation. Whether through a family pet, observing animals in nature, or simply reading about them in books, animals provide endless opportunities for children to grow emotionally.

At the London School of Childcare Studies, we recently hosted a seminar with Dr Gemma Goldenberg, focusing on supporting emotional and behavioural regulation in early childhood. Dr Goldenberg offers educators and childcare professionals essential strategies for guiding children through their emotional journeys. You’ll be able to rewatch this insightful webinar here.

As we’ve explored, interactions with animals can significantly enhance children’s empathy and emotional intelligence. By combining these valuable lessons from our seminar with the nurturing power of animals, we can create a rich environment for developing compassionate and emotionally aware children.

Self-Regulation vs Self-Control: What’s the Difference?

Written on February 25, 2022. Posted in Blog.

Self-Regulation vs Self-Control: What’s the Difference?

As a child grows, they learn to control their emotions and, hopefully, develop good behaviours. They’ll learn the difference between right and wrong and how to manage their impulses.

Much of this development revolves around self-regulation and self-control. These are often perceived as being the same things but there are profound differences between the two.

What is Self-Control?

Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour. You exhibit self-control when you don’t eat the last biscuit in a packet because you know it isn’t good for you. A child shows self-control when they wait until after dinner to get the ice cream out of the freezer.

What is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to manage stress and control impulses to maintain balance and avoid losing self-control. It involves recognising strong emotions and making thoughtful choices instead of acting on immediate impulses.

For example, a child might take a deep breath and calmly ask for help when frustrated with a difficult puzzle, instead of throwing it in anger.

The Neuroscience of Self-Regulation and Self-Control

When it comes to the brain, two important areas are involved in self-regulatory and self-controlling behaviours.

The first of these is the limbic system. It’s one of the oldest parts of the brain and is involved in our flight fight response. It’s also the source of strong emotions and impulse behaviour. When the limbic system is in charge, it means that a child is more likely to give in to their impulses, look for a quick fix, or exhibit naughty behaviours such as tantrums.

The other part of the brain that is important is the prefrontal cortex. This lies just behind the forehead and is the part of the brain that deals with logical decision making. This is often also called the learning brain and it has a push-pull relationship with the limbic system.

If the prefrontal cortex is not strong enough to rein in the impulsive behaviour of the limbic system, you end up with a child who is more likely to be disruptive.

We often think that handling a lack of self-control is just about lecturing the child of the consequences of their actions. This generally doesn’t work at the point of the bad behaviour because their limbic system has a physiological armlock on them. Getting angry or lecturing them simply raises their stress levels and makes it difficult for them to counter their behaviour because the limbic system continues to go into overdrive.

You first have to calm the child down and release them from their stressors. All too often parents talk when they should be listening. We look angry when we should be supportive and kind. In other words, we pile on more stress rather than helping to reduce it.

Self-regulation is key to helping a child develop a set of foundational rules that help them manage their emotions and impulses more effectively. Understanding this connection and how it impacts self-control is critical.

Learning how the brain functions gives us a deeper understanding of child development and why certain approaches work while others fail. Our Level 3 Neuroscience for the Early Years Practitioner – from Theory to Practice gives childcare professionals an introduction to this fascinating and useful area of child development up to age 7 years.

How to help your child develop empathy

Written on June 18, 2020. Posted in Blog.

Defining empathy and sympathy

Empathy is the ability to recognise the emotions of other people as conveyed by their words, tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language and to connect with them in a shared perspective. For example, if a friend or family member is upset and in tears, we may feel tearful too, showing that we acknowledge the person’s sadness and relate to it through our own empathetic response.

Feeling sympathy for someone is a more detached and cognitive response where we recognise and care about the feelings of others and also support them without becoming so emotionally involved.

Modelling a sympathetic response

As parents, teachers, or other caregivers, we should demonstrate sympathy towards children when they express strong emotions such as anger, fear, and frustration – even when this expression takes the form of negative behaviours such as lashing out. While preventing children from hurting themselves or others, we may also ease a challenging situation by acknowledging their feelings, for example, by saying ‘I know you feel angry right now…’ In this way, we become positive role models for children through our own responses, letting them know their feelings are recognised and respected. Over time, the development of mutual trust between adults and children paves the way for further discussion, helping children develop reasoning skills and find ways to manage their feelings, instead of being overwhelmed by them. The development of self-esteem, self-confidence and emotional resilience gives children a secure base from which they can begin to empathise with other people and in turn, show sympathy and support.

Targeted activities

We can also help children develop empathy through varied practical activities, such as the use of stories and role play.

Picture books

Choose well-illustrated picture books that present engaging characters and storylines to capture the attention and excite the imagination. Read the story with enthusiasm and use your facial expressions and tone of voice to suggest the emotions felt by the story characters. Let children have time to peruse the pictures before you turn over each page, particularly when the characters’ emotions are being described and are clearly illustrated. Once you have finished reading the book, you could briefly discuss with the children some aspects of the story, such as the characters’ emotional triggers and emotional responses at particular moments in the story. You might then ask the children if they have ever felt this way. While young children may be aware of common words that describe feelings, such as ‘happy’, ‘sad’ and ‘angry’, you can enhance their vocabulary development using words that describe more diverse and nuanced feelings such as ‘disappointed’, ‘anxious’ and ‘embarrassed’.

Puppet play

Introducing a puppet to young children is almost guaranteed to grab their attention! For this activity, you could also use a soft toy such as a teddy. Describe the emotions of the puppet or toy to the children, for example, say: ‘Teddy feels so excited today, he can hardly sit still!’ Ask the children to consider why teddy is feeling this way and let them offer their ideas. You could also have the children make their own puppets, such as hand puppets or finger puppets, using odd socks, felt or other craft materials. While they are busy, you can encourage them to think not only about naming their creation, but about their character’s particular traits and preferences. For example, is the puppet quite shy, or keen to meet new people? What games does the puppet like to play? What makes the puppet feel happy/sad/frightened?

At the vet’s

The care and concern we show not only for other people, but for animals, such as our pets, indicates the extent to which we can think beyond our own selfish or immediate needs and towards a wider perspective.

Encourage the children to talk about their own pets and discuss how we look after animals, such as by taking a dog for a walk, or cleaning out a rabbit hutch. Ask the children if any of their pets have been ill or injured, or have needed to visit a vet, and talk a little about a vet’s job and what it entails.

Create a role play area for the children based on your discussions with them and on the space and resources you have available. You could use soft toy animals or animal puppets as the ‘patients’ and children can take turns to role play the veterinary surgeons and their assistants. By joining in with the children’s play, perhaps by modelling the responses of a caring and concerned pet owner, you can help children develop empathetic awareness and foster their ability to adopt a caring, sympathetic attitude.

Tag: child development