How to Develop a Child Care Philosophy

Child Care Philosophy Basics

• A child care philosophy addresses issues such as how children develop, what they need to succeed and the place children have in society, according to Stanford University. Caregivers develop their philosophies based on what they think a child in their care needs to learn, what the child needs to be successful during the learning process and what types of activities will meet those goals. A philosophy statement might also include how children should be treated and what types of activities support the development process.

Philosophy Writing How-To

• Crafting a child care philosophy begins with research. Review the child development theories of experts such as Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Maria Montessori, B.F. Skinner and Alfie Kohn to find approaches that you agree with. For example, if you think that preschool-age children learn by playing, you might include key components of Montessori's child development theories in your philosophy. Use aspects of several different experts if you like parts of each theory. Once you've identified your beliefs, write your philosophy statement to include how you think caregivers should interact with students, advocate for children and promote normal physical, emotional and social development. Also include how caregivers will encourage children to achieve and how they will address diversity, suggests Concordia Online Education.

How Philosophies Help Children

• A child care philosophy requires caregivers to focus their attention on how they do their jobs, whether they are parents or teachers. It gives caregivers time to concentrate on what they want for the children in their care, which translates to a higher quality care situation for the children. For example, a child caregiver might decide that reading to a child is paramount to later academic success, and therefore will make reading with a child a personal goal to include in her care-giving strategy. Incorporating this into the philosophy will increase the odds that the practice will translate to the day-to-day activities a caregiver provides for children. In general, philosophies ensure that children are exposed to activities and materials that promote healthy academic, social and emotional development, based on the beliefs of the caregiver.

Philosophies are Living Documents

• A philosophy changes over time as a caregiver learns more about individual children and hones her own skills as an educator and advocate for the kids in her care. For example, the philosophy of a daycare or early childhood teacher might change each year as she learns about the children in her class and their individual needs. A parent's philosophy might change as a child gets older and needs different parenting strategies to meet his needs. The philosophy, however, continues to include belief statements, rationale for those beliefs, methods for achieving those beliefs and specific activities to encourage a child's growth and development.