By Ruka Curate
One thing that 2020 has taught many of us is how to adapt and change. From working from home to remote learning with our children and just the uncertainty of the future; Nannies have had to pivot and adapt to the “new norm.” As we think about nannies taking the lead in teaching and educating children this year, one bright spot shines forth for us. Children look up to those in their care and in order to grow up and be confident, they need stability and trust. Nannies know how to build trust with their charges and trust is something that must exist for children to learn. Let’s take a moment to show our appreciation to these amazing people.
Let’s think about this for a minute. Trust is one of the first things a baby learns and by trusting that their needs will be met, it allows them to begin to explore their world. A safe and stable attachment allows for babies to learn that things are well in their world. They know that they will be fed when they are hungry, and hugged when they cry.
This trust circle is then expanded to include others as children grow. As children trust that other adults like their childcare provider and teachers will keep them safe, they feel emboldened and confident to take risks and make inquiries. They feel comfortable asking questions.
Nannies know that building trust right now is more than just showing up every day. It starts with spending time building connections. Being truly interested in what makes kids tick. Being aware of their wellbeing and asking questions that can spark curiosity. It is about finding the joy in another person. This was easy to do before the pandemic, on days where you simply played in the park and attended an indoor activity/class. There was less of a need to focus on connections because people were busy. Not so easy on days when the children are stuck in front of a computer for remote learning or away from classmates/friends.
Knowing that a child is a fully formed person, one who needs emotions validated and to be treated genuinely, builds trust. Great nannies speak to children on their level but never patronizing or indifferently. They speak the language of emotions and know that giving a child the space to express how they feel is as important a skill that a child will ever learn. Trust, however, is also built through clear expectations and boundaries. Children feel safe when they know that there are rules, even as they test them, they need them.
Oftentimes for nannies who come into situations with older children, this process takes time. As children age, they see that people come in and out of their lives and so it becomes more difficult for them to trust new people. But this just means that nannies must increase their efforts to build those bridges. It comes in the hundreds or thousands of daily interactions that demonstrate to a child that they are being heard and valued. It might be that the nanny makes their sandwiches with the preferred kind of peanut butter instead of the off-brand. It might mean listening to the same kinds of music or knowing the plot of a favorite movie. It might just mean listening to a complaint without offering a solution, just empathy, and confidence that the child can handle it. It’s about respect and showing up. When nannies bond with the children in all these ways, they set up a foundation for learning.
When you have faith and trust with someone you can build collaborations. You form partnerships. This allows a child to try new methods, to think creatively, and to persevere when things get tough. It is a blessing to know that a nanny can build this relationship, or in fact, may already have this relationship with a child in a very natural and organic way. It is an advantage that the nanny has over a classroom teacher that the relationship is very strong and can last longer than a few months over the course of one year. Building trusting loving relationships with their charges is the nanny’s bread and butter.
Ruka Curate – Ruka Curate is the woman behind Tiny Treasures Nanny Agency and she knows just how important having a connection is when pairing a nanny with a family. Finding the perfect fit not only gives parents peace of mind, but provides a stable and enriched environment for children. Tiny Treasures helps families with nannies, NCS, private educators, household managers Nationwide.
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