Family day care educators: An exploration of their understanding and experiences promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing

E Davis; N Priest; B Davies; L Smyth; E Waters; H Herrman; M Sims; L Harrison; K Cook; B Marshall; L Williamson

Journal article

Family day care educators: An exploration of their understanding and experiences promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing

E Davis, N Priest, B Davies, L Smyth, E Waters, H Herrman, M Sims, L Harrison, K Cook, B Marshall, L Williamson

Early Child Development and Care | ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD | Published : 2012

DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2011.603420

Abstract

This study aimed to explore family day care (FDC) educators' knowledge of child social and emotional wellbeing and mental health problems, the strategies used to promote children's wellbeing, and barriers and opportunities for promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing. Thirteen FDC educators participated in individual semi-structured interviews. FDC educators were more comfortable defining children's social and emotional wellbeing than they were in identifying causes and early signs of mental health problems. Strategies used to promote children's mental health were largely informal and dependent on educator skills and capacities rather than a systematic scheme-wide approach. Common..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Elise Davis Author

Naomi Priest Author

Helen Herrman Author

Bronwyn Davies Author

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the FDC educators who assisted us with this study by participating in in-depth interviews, as well as Deakin University for funding this study. E.D. is supported by a VicHealth Public Health Research Fellowship. E.D., N.P., E.W. and L.W. are all supported by the Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program.