1. A well developed sense of self awareness
Evaluation of your own quirks and personal styles will provide some
insight into the climate of your unit. Child care workers live in a
world of false cues: children will frequently tell you what they
perceive you want to know; child care workers will hear what they want
to hear.
2. The ability to manage you work and your
personal life
Feeling as though you are juggling 25 ping-pong balls at once will wear
you down. Decide which ones to drop. Set your priorities to accomplish
what you do best “this will give you a sense of achievement, which will
encourage you to develop yourself in the areas that do not come so
easily “that require persistence and perseverance.
3. Time for activities that make for a sound
and well rounded life
This makes you more valuable and interesting to the children and the
team. Plan for a variety of personal, educational, cultural and
recreational experiences.
4. Interpersonal sensitivity
Listen to others. Listen to both verbal and non-verbal cues “both from
staff colleagues and from children. Sense the “vibes”. Focus carefully
on the total person communicating with you.
5. Enhancing the self-esteem of others
Make sure to encourage and compliment others “both staff colleagues and
children “on their efforts. This will take away unhealthy competition
and lessen your own self-absorption.
6. The courage to take risks
Always maintain a healthy curiosity “and the ability to think
creatively. Risk looking ridiculous! Learn the joy of a lively mind and
playfulness (creativity and play are the same thing) in your setting.
7. The ability to use and “grow” from
negative feed-back
Relax! You will mess up somewhere. Just learn what you can from your
mistakes “and try to avoid making the same mistakes next time! Ask for
specific help and support when you need it; don’t be above asking for
advice or back-up. Analyse immediately why something failed, and use
your findings to inform future decisions.
8. An experiential attitude
Be optimistic. “Let’s try” and “Let’s see what we learn from this” should be heard often in your unit.
9. Problems are for solving
Learn to view problems as opportunities, as chances for you to sharpen
your creative thinking skills. All problems have solutions “some
solutions are simply more or less effective than others.
10. Tolerance for sustained work
Child care is seldom an eight-hour day. If that is your expectation,
have another look at the work you have chosen.
11. A sense of calling or mission
There is meaning and special fulfilment to work that involves personal
commitment.
12. Dealing with insecurities
If an individual really makes you feel insecure or anxious, get to know
that person better. Brief yourself more carefully before you jump into
difficult situations. Try to understand why you feel anxious.
13. Working out how to work with your boss
Your boss directly influences your career and your success within the
organisation. Understand your boss is a person with even more
responsibility and pressure than you have. Keep your boss well informed “never let him/her get a surprise about your work.
14. Keeping up with trends
Understand your society and its trends. Understand current thinking in
Child and Youth Care theory and practice. Try to know what is happening
in the world, with families, children, writing, culture, politics ...
This feature: Mitchell, Kathy. (1995). Survival skills for professional child care workers. The Child Care Worker, 13, 2. p. 9.