Child-centred Practice with Children, Families and Communities (Level 5 UNIT ONLY)

Course Overview

This unit explores the value and nature of child-centred practice in the early childhood practitioner’s role. It is central to the role of the effective practitioner to retain a focus on the wishes, feelings, interests and needs of the child throughout their interactions with the child in early education and care environments. This also means that the practitioner must understand that the child is part of a social network that influences their wellbeing and outcomes, and that practitioners should develop the skills and knowledge to work with and support the child’s network to provide the most effective play and learning environment for growth, development and progress. The unit will enable students to examine these ideas and develop the skills to engage effectively in these processes, emphasising the need to listen and develop a dialogue between practice and theory.