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Addressing children's life changes in the early childhood curriculum

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Abstract

Young children may experience stress from changes in their lives. These changes may be developmental, critical, or catastrophic. Early childhood educators need to establish partnerships with parents to help families cope with all three types of changes. Teachers can facilitate children's emotional expressions, build understanding through the use of dramatic play, provide a stable routine, monitor post-traumatic play, and discuss events that affect individual children, the entire class, or the community. Teachers can also serve as a resource to families by providing books for parents and children, and building a referal file of agencies and helping professionals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family, Child, and Consumer Science, New Mexico State University, Box 3470, 88003-0003, Las Cruces, New Mexico

    Esther L. Devall (Assistant Professor)

  2. Early Childhood Education, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico

    Betsy J. Cahill (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. Esther L. Devall
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  2. Betsy J. Cahill
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Devall, E.L., Cahill, B.J. Addressing children's life changes in the early childhood curriculum. Early Childhood Educ J 23, 57–62 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353394

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02353394

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