Caregivers' responsiveness to toddlers' emotional needs

Emotional development is a crucial issue in toddlerhood that is closely hinged to caregivers' responsiveness. Emotional development is particularly important at this stage because it influences all other areas of development in the child. Positive responsiveness of the caregivers eventually nurtures holistic development of the young child. Being in a daycare setting where there are many other toddlers presents a challenge to the caregivers as all the children compete for the caregiver's attention. The caregivers therefore need to be emotionally responsive to each child in their care in promoting holistic child development.

Autorentext

Mrs Lekani Dube is a lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University in Zimbabwe. She completed a Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) at the University of Zimbabwe. Her research interest are in the areas of the early childhood curriculum and the influence of culture on child development.