Why responsiveness to children is essential for preschoolers?
“With children, it is the joint moments of delight that build the social brain.” - Mariah Moser Responsiveness to children is a foundational practice in early childcare settings that fosters secure relationships, supports individual needs and creates an inclusive environment. Sherman(2004) defines responsiveness as a process where educators make intentional decisions based on their understanding of children’s interests and needs. Within the Australian context, the EYLF V 2.0 and the National Quality Standards (NQSs) mandate responsiveness as a core practice aimed at meeting children’s developmental, emotional and cognitive needs and achieving high-quality educational outcomes(ACECQA, 2020; AGDE, 2022). Children, particularly preschoolers, are curious learners who actively construct knowledge and require a responsive environment to support their learning needs. Practising responsiveness helps educators know each child’s unique strengths, interests and learning styles, cultural iden...