How to Develop a Child Care Philosophy

A child care philosophy is the set of ideas that guides the decisions of parents, day-care centers or other groups that work with or raise children. It describes the principles that parents and teachers use when disciplining and teaching children. Having such a philosophy causes adults to be consistent, which makes children feel more safe and secure.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen

Instructions

1. Analyze your own experiences. Make a list of what you liked about what your teachers or parents did--things that you would like to pass on to your students or children.

2. Observe others. Visit schools and child care facilities to observe interactions with adults and children. Watch families around you. If possible, ask the adults involved to discuss their child care philosophies. Keep lists of the common theories that appeal to you.

3. Read a lot. Read as many child development and education books as you can find. Read magazines such as Parenting, Parents, Family Fun and Teacher Magazine. Take notes on what you've read.

4. Make a web. Combine your notes and lists into a web. Write "child care philosophy" in a cloud in the middle of a piece of paper. Draw branches off of it, linking ideas that go together.

5. Write some sentences. Use your web to inspire sentences about what you believe is best for children. Now you have a philosophy.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget about experiences you've had with children, from babysitting to teaching classes. Think about what worked and what didn't.

References

• Child Care Philosophies

Resources

• List of Parenting Books