Nursery World - Keeping the peace

Letting children make decisions and help with tasks is a good way to keep yourself from making mountains out of molehills when you disagree, says <B> Lena Engel </B>

Letting children make decisions and help with tasks is a good way to keep yourself from making mountains out of molehills when you disagree, says Lena Engel

Generally, most adults, including early years practitioners and parents, think that they know best when it comes to what children should be doing and saying. They have this view because common sense tells them that knowledge and expertise is gained with age and that young children should learn to do as they are told.

In fact, many adults see it as their responsibility to impose their idea of socialisation on children. Therefore, children who deviate from their parents' or teachers' expectations are often considered to be selfish, maladjusted or intentionally difficult. It is very hard for adults to avoid confrontation with even the youngest children who appear not to conform. Anger and stress for both participants is often the result of such clashes.

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