Creating spaces of belonging and inclusion is essential in early childhood, whether in Early Learning environments or at home. When children see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected in the stories we read, the conversations we have, and the information we share, they feel valued for who they are. This sense of belonging builds confidence, empowering children to engage, take risks, and explore new skills. Confidence rooted in feeling safe and seen helps children embrace routines and consistency, which are essential for navigating important milestones like toilet training and other daily routines. When inclusion and belonging are at the forefront of your interactions with children, you create the foundation they need to continue learning, growing, and thriving in all areas of their development.
While June marked Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, it is important to remember that creating authentic spaces of belonging is work that continues throughout the year. Visibility matters. When books, materials, and conversations represent 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, they support respect, acceptance, and resilience in children, helping them grow into responsible, compassionate citizens. Educators and families can keep Pride visible all year by incorporating inclusive stories into daily practice and family reading, using gender-neutral language, reflecting on the diversity of materials shared with children, and taking time to address personal biases or outdated language. By doing so, we build communities rooted in belonging, empathy, and love, ensuring that every child feels seen and supported. For resources that can help, consider exploring tri-Pride | OK2BME | Spectrum | Camino |
Supporting children in building confidence and independence also means providing opportunities to navigate important milestones, such as toilet training, with encouragement and consistency. Toilet training is a significant step for young children, and a shared approach between families and educators can make a difference. Look for signs of readiness, such as staying dry for several hours, the ability to pull clothing up and down, communicating about the need to go, showing interest in the potty, and being comfortable sitting on it.
When it comes time to begin, choose a period without major life changes, use consistent strategies across environments, and create opportunities for children to build familiarity, such as reading stories about using the potty and equipping bathrooms with stools and child-friendly seats. Remember to celebrate small successes and maintain consistent routines, while allowing room for setbacks and pauses when needed. Tools like Toilets Bowties Gender and Me can support inclusive discussions and help children feel confident and respected throughout this learning process. For more information and tips for toilet training, read our blog post about that here.
As children learn and grow, routines continue to be a vital part of their daily lives, providing a sense of predictability that helps reduce anxiety and build independence. Whether at home or in Early Learning settings, consistent routines help children understand what comes next, develop self-regulation skills, and manage big feelings during transitions.
Simple strategies, such as maintaining similar daily schedules for meals, drop-offs, and bedtimes, using visuals to support predictability, and preparing children in advance when routines need to change, can help children feel secure while navigating their days. Collaboration between families and educators ensures consistency and reinforces a child’s sense of safety across environments. For practical guidance, resources 1, 2, 3, Care Toolkit can support the creation of strong, supportive routines.
In today’s world, screens are part of many families’ and educators’ daily lives, and finding a healthy balance around screen time is important for children’s development. While screens can provide entertainment and learning opportunities, it is important to ensure that they do not replace the real-world interactions children need to develop social, language, and motor skills.
Key guidelines:
- Under 2 years: Avoid screen time (except for video calls).
- Ages 2-5: Less than 1 hour/day, co-view when possible.
- Ages 5-17: No more than 2 hours of recreational screen time/day.
- Avoid screens at least 2 hours before bedtime.
Turning off screens when not in use, being present when children are ready to engage, and maintaining open conversations about internet safety are practical steps families and educators can take together. Excessive screen time can increase stress and reduce opportunities for active play and connection, so it is important to monitor use and guide children in developing healthy screen habits.
Resources like Online Safety 101: How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online and Keeping Children Safe Online and Molly Wright: How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | TED can assist in navigating these conversations and creating safe digital environments.
Supporting young children in feeling seen, building confidence, and developing independence requires intentional practices across all areas of their daily lives. By prioritizing inclusion, consistent routines, and being supportive and mindful in everyday activities, families and Early Learning professionals can work together to create environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
