Till date, a good caregiver was considered to be one who connects with each child politely, plays with it and takes care of it painstakingly. However, would this amount to ‘watching’ the child? And is it good for the child’s development?
Before the child cries, reach out to it and resolve the problem in advance. Take the child to the toilet when it is time for the child to go there, thus allowing the child to spend time pleasantly. Does this mean ‘watching’ the child? Or is it self-contentment that I am looking after the child well?
‘Watching’ the child does not mean anticipating its desires. It means discerning its development.
‘Watching’ means to closely observe the child’s actions, ascertain its current stage development and evaluate the prospects of its development. ‘Watching’ does not mean ‘capturing the existence of an issue visually’ or ‘bringing it into view’. It means ‘observing’ and ‘judging’.
For instance, when a child emerges from the toilet, it does not mean that the caregiver should help it to put on its clothes; it means to ascertain what child can do on its own. It is the same with regard to playing and eating. Always observe closely and grasp each child’s capabilities and the development process. The basic approach is not to do what the child cannot do, but to provide precise support so as to promote the child’s development, because growth is not something that is acquired on the basis of teaching; it is acquired on the basis of self-initiated action.
「HOIKU」Heiji Fujimori
