Every child needs to feel a sense of belonging in their setting – feeling welcomed, accepted and secure. Being close to people and knowing you belong is an essential human need. Children need to feel wrapped in warm and harmonious relationships. This relies on having empathetic staff who understand the power of relationships and the impact they have on the children’s brain architecture and the trillions of connections across the billions of neurons in the different areas of the brain.
Belonging needs to be woven through your pedagogy where the approach to teaching and learning always considers the children. Belonging is often described by parents as their child talking about ‘my nursery’ to family members and feeling proud to show family and friends around their nursery. It’s why having a good policy to support parent partnership and home learning matters. Activities such as Grandparents Tea or encouraging a visiting auntie to be given a nursery tour by her nephew are not to be underestimated.
Involving children
Some staff will involve the children in a show around and it’s very heartening to hear them tell the visitors about where they play, eat and sleep and what happens in the day. It’s also good feedback to staff who may hear children’s comments that gives them an insight into their sense of belonging. For example, I remember feeling disappointed when I overheard children telling a visitor that, ‘We don’t like playing in that corner much, it’s too dark…’ when I knew staff had thought long and hard about designing a quiet, calm space! The child’s comment sent us straight back to the drawing board but this time with the children much more actively involved.
To create an ethos of belonging, we need staff who are reflective and listen to children and actively make an effort to build their sense of belonging. Years ago, we gave children disposable cameras and walked them all around their neighbourhood photographing things that made them feel uneasy. They came back with three concerns: rubbish, dogs and bird guano, which they agreed made them feel unhappy. We used this data to inform the local council about helping children feel they belonged and felt safe in their local area.
Belonging is also important for staff, as when they feel welcomed and their voice is heard, they are more able to do the same for children. Everyone wants to belong and be part of a setting where everyone matters.
FURTHER READING
@JuneOSullivan
- Think Feel Do: A Wellbeing Handbook for Early Years Staff by June O’Sullivan and Lala Manners
- 50 Fantastic Ideas to Encourage Diversity and Inclusion by June O’Sullivan and Nausheen Khan