8: Emotional, physical and cognitive responses to parents working away (work rosters)
Children can respond to a parent working away in different ways; physically, emotionally and how they make sense of their parent's work. In this module, we'll explain these differences and share tips on how to help your child get ready for their parent being away, how to support them during this time and how to make the transition easier when the parent returns home.
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Partnering with parents in families where one parent works away
Please see Module 3.
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This article suggests several ways in which educators can partner with parents to support children when the other parent is working away from home. Please scroll down to pages 7-10.
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Getting to know families
"In this three-part series, Nine News presenter Davina Smith shares insights into her life as an army wife - emotionally-fuelled airport reunions and all."
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This booklet, produced by the Froebel Trust, outlines ways in which educators can work with children to support their self-regulation of emotions and behaviour.
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This booklet, produced by the Froebel Trust, outlines ways in which educators can digitally document children's learning experiences.
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Teaching activities in Children's Resources
To accompany this module, please use the following resources from the Children's Resources:
1. Waiting for Daddy: Rose's Story resources, including a downloadable, printable eBook, audio and video read-along versions, an interactive eBook, extension teaching activities, personalised activity book, Keyword Sign video lessons and printable teaching materials.
2. I feel grumpy, lumpy and bumpy activity book where educators help the children make the book using photos the child has brought in, drawings of themselves and the parent and decorations.
3. The tracing hands activity below. -
Articles about play and emotions
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A Froebelian approach to outdoor play and exploration.
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There are many puppet play and role play resources and activities suggested in the Resources module.
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Play is important for all areas of baby development, including emotional development. Through play, babies learn about their emotions and how to express them. Play ideas to develop baby emotions include puppet play, singing and messy play.
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Play is important for all areas of toddler development, including emotional development. Through play, toddlers learn about big emotions like frustration, guilt and shame. Play ideas to develop toddler emotions include puppet play, singing, reading and messy play.
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Play is important for all areas of preschooler development, including emotional development. Through play, preschoolers can practise managing strong emotions like excitement, anger and frustration. Play ideas to develop preschooler emotions include sand play, dress-ups, music, drawing, reading and outdoor play.
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Resources for parents and educators
There is some good research-based information in these online articles. There will also be many tips that are relevant for educators.
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Learning about emotions helps your child feel happier and cope better with problems. You can help your child learn about emotions anytime and anywhere.
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For young children, tantrums happen when they have trouble with ‘big’ feelings. Older children might have tantrums because they’re still learning to self-regulate. Reduce tantrums by tuning in to children and helping them talk about feelings.
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Self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage your own behaviour and reactions. Help your child develop self-regulation through talking about feelings and role-modelling.
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Autistic children often find it hard to recognise and manage emotions. Learning to recognise and manage emotions can help autistic children understand and respond to other people.
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Try these practical, positive tips to encourage the behaviour you want in your child.
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Fighting happens when disagreements become physically or verbally aggressive. There are four basic steps to handling fights – step in when needed, keep calm, make a time to talk, and apply consequences fairly.
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Inside Out is an interesting animated comedy. Its complex story shows that it’s important for you to experience a full range of emotions, even negative emotions like sadness. This lets you appreciate positive times and also helps to enrich your life. The movie suggests that it’s important to show your emotions too, so that other people will know when you need care and attention, especially when you don’t have the words to say what you need.
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Behaviour management strategies help your child learn how to behave. Understanding your child’s behaviour helps you choose the most appropriate behaviour management strategies.
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Separation anxiety is a normal part of development from about eight months of age. You can help your child with separation anxiety by gently encouraging them to separate from you. This might take practice and praise.
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Sleep is important for children’s growth, learning, mood and development. Good sleep habits like relaxing bedtime routines can help children sleep.
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All children can sometimes have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Simple lifestyle changes and behaviour strategies can help with some sleep problems.
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Babies and children need sleep for healthy development. Sleep is important for your wellbeing too. Based on your own situation, you can decide how to meet your child’s sleep and comfort needs, and your own sleep needs.
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This article recommends 3 movies that support children's understanding of a wide range of emotions.
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Dots with Feelings is a resource for feelings exploration that can help the children you work with express more about how they are feeling.