Parents are said to be 'children's first educators'. This means that they exert the most educational impact during the initial years of a child's life. Children inherit family characteristics and they also copy and internalise what their parents do and say. Nevertheless, the weight of responsibility of parenthood is daunting for many adults, particularly for those who do not have extended or close families to support them.
Parents who feel insecure about their knowledge of child development will often seek reassurance, guidance and advice from childcare practitioners in daycare and from childminders. The Birth to Three Matters framework emphasises the importance of seeing the whole child and understanding how each aspect of development impacts on every other. Childcare practitioners should explain this valuable guidance to parents and inform them about how the environment and the social interaction they offer effectively supports their children.
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