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Affection Audit
June 3, 2011
We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832, German writer, naturalist, politician and artist
The article "Out of the Box Ideas for Director Evaluation" in the Exchange CD Book, Taking Stock:  Tools and Strategies for Evaluating Programs, Directors, Teachers and Children, contained this suggestion...

"In a recent Exchange survey, directors rated 'abuse accusations against your center' as the threat that concerns them most.  Such concerns have caused many teachers to avoid physical contact with children.

"This, of course, is terribly wrong.  Centers need to head off accusations of abuse by working hard to develop trusting relationships with parents, to encourage them to share even the smallest concerns before they mushroom into big concerns, to assure them that staff are carefully selected and well supervised, and to invite them to visit unannounced at any time.  The worst possible response is to withhold affection from children.

"From time to time, it is instructive to take an affection audit at your center.  Walk around casually and observe how often you see teachers showing affection to children, either by physical contact, body language, or direct communication.  If you see a great deal of appropriate affection being exhibited, take this as a good sign; if there is very little taking place, you need to figure out why and do something about it."






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Comments (4)

Displaying All 4 Comments
Nirmal Kumar Ghosh · June 05, 2011
Shishu Vikash Kendra
Kolkata, West Bengal, India


Hello
Child friend , If welcome is warm everything is warm . In field of children it is
very important to a childcare

Fortidas Bakuza · June 04, 2011
Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of


I think we all need to build trust to teachers we give our infants and young children. Young children will love going to child care/preschool if the teachers are so welcoming.
My two boys tell me stories about their teachers and they even tell me when their teachers are sick.
As parents we should put ourselves into teachers shoes to be able to fairly judge them.

Deborah Sheely · June 03, 2011
Lincoln, NE, United States


Since the vision of our intergenerational center , I was privileged to lead was “a warm, safe enchanting community of friends, life-long learning and belonging” appropriate touch was a must. Kids NEED it, and they need it modeled well. I wanted to be able to say to a child, “if you watch me, and do what I do, you will NOT get in trouble in our school.

We asked permission before hugging/touching etc. Remembered not to touch each other when angry, and practice together the affection we need. During our parent’s initial tour, I made it clear, ours was a school where there are hugs. I let them know not every parent is comfortable, but that might be a fit issue concern for them.

I remember once overhearing a child, who had came as an infant, who was than four saying to any other child, “I really CARE about the other kids here, even if they make me mad.” It was one of my happiest moments. Affection matters.

patti brocato · June 03, 2011
university at buffalo child care center
buffalo, ny, United States


Getting a hug from a child at the center starts my day. The same thing happens when a child receives a hug from an adult. To show a little love is a good feeling...everyone who works at a childcare center should try it some time!



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