Topic 1 The importance of a community

“Young children experience their world as an environment of relationships, and these relationships affect virtually all aspects of their development – intellectual, social, emotional, physical, behavioural, and moral”

(NSCDC, 2004, p. 1)

A community can include…

or any other person who has an important impact on the child’s early development.

Positive feelings that arise from belonging to a community (for both children and adults):

  • we feel like we are accepted and safe

  • we can influence and be influenced by other members of the community

  • we may fulfil our needs

  • we share an emotional connection, through shared experiences, places and stories

“The interactive influences of genes and experience shape the developing brain. Scientists now know a major ingredient in this developmental process is the “serve and return” relationship between children and their parents and other caregivers in the family or community”

(CDC, p. 1-2)