Are you familiar with Kober's six pedagogical principles? They guide how we guide and help children grow and learn. How do we apply them in the classroom and what you can do with them at home? You can read all about it in this blog series. This time, pedagogical coach Nicole van der Wegen discusses "safe and secure."

As long as the basis is good

I immediately noticed his restlessness when I entered the group. The 7-month-old boy kept crying and was clearly not feeling well. Talking to him soothingly, feeding him, carrying him… the childcare workers had tried everything. After observing him closely for a while, I suspected he didn't feel safe and secure. All sorts of things were happening around him that he, so young, couldn't yet interpret. One of the workers was getting children out of bed and was therefore temporarily out of reach. The door to the changing room and kitchen was open, so he could hear all sorts of noises. Children were shuffling past behind him. And so he kept turning his head. It helped to sit next to him and, in a slightly raised voice, calmly describe what he saw and heard. That calmed him down.

You'd think I could have picked him up and walked around with him. But then you'd be limiting his freedom. And therefore his development. My tip to the childcare workers in the group was to place the baby more often in a strategic spot from which he can oversee everything. If you're just interacting with another child, make contact in between—verbal or nonverbal—so he feels seen. Explain what you're doing. And close the doors where possible to limit stimuli that are unclear to him.

He's doing much better now. It's wonderful to hear, of course. Because that safety and security are incredibly essential. It's the foundation for being open to new experiences, learning, and living. That's why we're so committed to it at Kober. How exactly do we achieve that? It's in so many ways. Think of the decor: no hysterical, bright green on the walls, but muted colors. This creates a sense of calm and security. We deliberately keep the play areas uncluttered so we can create a sense of connection even from a distance.

We also invest in smooth transitions: toddlers who are new to daycare don't necessarily need to spend an entire morning with us. We prefer to provide small, successful experiences, adding fifteen minutes at a time. We give children who have just turned four and are moving from daycare to after-school care the space to unwind and relax after school. Sometimes we even use daily schedule charts at after-school care, so they know what to expect. And when children do things they find a bit daunting, we make sure we're nearby and use positive, appreciative language. Hand-holding isn't necessary at all, unless the children ask for it. We also invest a lot of energy in the well-being of our childcare staff. They need to feel comfortable, too. After all, only when they feel comfortable can they optimally care for others.

Meanwhile, true physical security, like a hug or a lap, remains a need for many children. So we provide that when they indicate it. In my experience, they're never too old for it. I see it in my youngest daughter, 7, who regularly lets me know she needs a good cuddle. It helps her recharge so she can get back on track. Great, isn't it?

Nicole van der Wegen is a pedagogical coach at Kober childcare. She helps colleagues put Kober's pedagogical vision into practice. "Safe and secure" is one of the six principles of this vision. Do you have any questions? Ask them via [email protected]. Want to know how to implement this at home? The pedagogical staff in the group are happy to help.