Jelaila Gonzalez

ECE 252-1001

Dr. Jennifer Montgomery

October 22, 2021

Social and Emotional Intelligence

Define the concept of caregiver as a secure base as it is related to attachment.

A place of safety represented by an attachment figure. This attachment acts as a base of security

from which the child can explore a surrounding environment. Secure attachment is the result of

listening to a child's cues, responding to their needs, consistent care routines, communication and

connection. As a result of that care consistency, children form their own patterns of expectations.

What strategies can you utilize to support a child's ability to "hold someone special in

mind?"

Caregivers can facilitate opportunities where children are able to interact with one another in

social play.Through this social play they are able to expand on how others make them feel, and

how they feel about others. These opportunities can come in the form of the way we set up our

classroom environment, play invitations, and classroom rituals. Another strategy educators can

utilize to support a child's ability to "hold someone special in mind" is being mindful of our own

emotional bond and connection with children. Infants are observing behavior and using the

information they observe to determine their own decision making and pursuits.

Describe how you can support a child's self-development by reading their emotional cues

and providing responsive social interaction.

Since young children develop and learn in the context of relationships, having an observant and

in-tune caregiver who reads their emotional cues sets the stage for healthy development. Like

Maslow's Hierarchy, a child needs to feel safe and secure before they can do much of anything

else. Once that secure attachment is present, they can begin to explore their environments, take

task risks, and pursue their innate interests.

Infants and toddlers develop a wide range of emotions (trust, self-confidence, pride in

accomplishment). How can we support this development through interactions and

experiences within the classroom environment?

Communication and language play an important role in helping infants and toddlers develop a

range of emotions. By being observant and mindful of a child's cues, a caregiver can help a child

to identify and understand an experience they might be going through. For example, when a

young toddler is upset because it is time to stop playing and eat lunch, a caregiver could say

something like: "You are upset because you wanted to keep playing with the blocks when we are

done eating lunch, you will be able to come back and play. Let's leave the blocks right here, so

when you are done with lunch, you know where they are." In addition, it is the caregiver's role to

provide the child with opportunities for success, supporting their interests and showing young

children that the adults around them have faith in their goodness and abilities.

5. Provide one example of a music and movement activity (repetitive interaction, chant,

song) and discuss how this activity would support social play and interaction with peers.

A favorite music activity of mine is from Conscious Discipline entitled the "Wish you Well

Song". Every morning this can be used as a form of attendance taking. The song is sung to the
tune of Farmer in the Dell: "We wish you well, we wish you well, all through the day today. We

wish you well!" Then children are invited to look around at each other as a school family and

sing to each other so we will have a great day, too. Although simple, it is a favorite of mine.

Conduct online research to find early childhood material that supports social-emotional

development for infants and toddlers. Discuss how and why the material is developmentally

appropriate for young infants and toddlers. Provide a picture and/or detailed description

of the material.

Describe how the material would be incorporated into the infant/toddler environment.

This Mirror Triangle would become a part of the child/classroom environment.

How would you support engagement and interaction with the material?

I would play different items inside the triangle to invite curiosity—items such as; other textured

fabrics, balls, blocks, and sound-making items.

What would you say to the child as they are exploring the material?

I would ask questions and also say aloud what I was observing. For example: "I see you are

smiling, or Are you making a silly face?" Depending on the age group, I would also invite them

to describe what they saw in the mirror's reflection. When interacting with the material myself I

would describe my reflection, my features, and things I noticed in the mirror.

How does the material support social/emotional development?

This material is perfect for the development of self-recognition and a sense of self. Infants are

not born with the ability to recognize themselves in the mirror; this develops over time. Also,

when discussing what they see in the mirror with the child, we are fostering language growth and

self-expression. The tool helps children witness their own emotions, make sense of their feelings,

and view themselves and others in a different perspective through the mirror.