2.4. Explain the importance of maintaining a person or childcentred approach when establishing proactive strategies

This guide will help you answer 2.4. Explain the importance of maintaining a person or childcentred approach when establishing proactive strategies.

Establishing proactive strategies in work with children and young people is an important responsibility. Proactive strategies aim to address needs, behaviours, and challenges before they arise. These strategies ensure the child is supported early and effectively, avoiding reactive responses which might focus on controlling behaviour instead.

Adopting a child-centred approach places the child at the centre of planning, ensuring that strategies meet their specific needs, preferences, feelings, and rights. This approach respects the individuality of each child, recognising that no two children are the same.

Respect for the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) highlights the importance of recognising the rights of every child. One key principle is that children have the right to be heard and have their views respected.

By maintaining a child-centred approach, children’s voices shape the strategies designed for them. For example:

• Giving children the opportunity to share their thoughts about rules or routines.
• Adapting plans based on their feedback or ideas.
• Listening carefully to behaviour, as it can be a form of communication.

Proactive strategies that respect the child’s input are more likely to succeed. Children feel valued when they know their opinions matter, which helps create trust and cooperation.

A Personalised Approach

Every child is different. What works for one child might not work for another, even if they are in similar circumstances. A child-centred approach acknowledges that proactive strategies should reflect the individual needs, challenges, and strengths of each child.

To understand a child fully, practitioners must:

• Observe their behaviour in different environments.
• Speak to those who know the child well, such as parents or carers, offering consistent communication between settings.
• Pay attention to cultural or personal circumstances, which could shape their experiences and understanding.

For instance, a school strategy for reducing anxiety must consider why the child feels anxious. If large group activities overwhelm one child, the strategy might involve offering smaller, quieter sessions. Without this individual focus, the strategy could miss the mark completely.

Encouraging Positive Behaviour

Children often react better to positive reinforcement than to punishment. A child-centred approach recognises the power of building on strengths and celebrating achievements.

Proactive strategies may include:

• Praising a child when they manage difficult situations well.
• Providing consistent rewards for achieving small goals.
• Offering clear, age-appropriate expectations and boundaries.

Positive reinforcement not only improves behaviour over time but also supports self-esteem. When children feel supported and understood, they are less likely to act out in frustration or confusion.

Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing

Maintaining a child-centred approach promotes emotional growth and resilience. It recognises that children not only need physical care but also emotional support. Children benefit from strategies that acknowledge their feelings and give them ways to manage emotions positively.

For example:

• Encouraging expressive activities like art, music, or storytelling.
• Offering a quiet space during overwhelming moments.

Ignoring emotional needs risks damaging a child’s confidence or mental health. A proactive, person-centred approach equips children with tools to handle their emotions early on.

Practitioners understanding the underlying cause of a behaviour—such as sadness, frustration, or fear—can better plan preventative measures. Rather than labelling a child as “naughty,” they can focus on what the child might be trying to express.

Building Strong Relationships

Proactive strategies are more effective when built on trusting relationships. Trust ensures a child feels safe and supported. When practitioners use a child-centred approach, they prioritise the bond they have with the child.

Ways to strengthen relationships include:

• Being consistent and reliable.
• Giving children genuine attention and care.
• Being approachable and showing empathy.

Strong relationships promote mutual respect. Children who trust adults feel secure in expressing themselves honestly, helping practitioners tailor strategies that truly work.

Balancing Authority and Autonomy

Children thrive when there’s a balance between guidance and independence. A person-centred approach finds this balance by giving children opportunities to make choices while setting clear boundaries.

Proactive strategies might involve:

• Allowing children to decide how they complete a task.
• Giving them opportunities to choose between different activities or roles.

For example, involving children in creating classroom rules not only builds ownership but also teaches them about fairness and responsibility. Boundaries can still exist, but when children feel included in decision-making, they are more likely to respect these boundaries.

Supporting Developmental Needs

Children experience different developmental milestones at varied paces. A child-centred approach recognises these differences and ensures strategies are developmentally appropriate and realistic.

Proactive strategies include:

• Setting achievable goals that align with the child’s age and abilities.
• Adapting activities for children who might find some areas challenging, such as those with special educational needs.

Expecting too much from a child can frustrate them, while expecting too little may disengage them. Age-appropriate tasks, praise, and challenges help children feel motivated without becoming overwhelmed.

Preventing Miscommunication or Misinterpretation

A one-size-fits-all approach risks misunderstanding or overlooking the child’s specific behaviour and needs. For example, a child struggling with attention may simply need clearer structure rather than strict punishment for failing to focus.

A person-centred strategy encourages open communication. Regular check-ins with the child and their family provide deeper insights. For example, the child’s home environment might reveal things that help practitioners anticipate challenges early. Recognising and responding to these factors strengthens trust further.

Showing Respect for Diversity

Children come from different cultural, social, and religious backgrounds. Individuality shapes their needs, behaviours, and preferences.

Maintaining a child-centred approach avoids treating all children the same. Instead, it ensures that proactive strategies respect diversity. This commitment to inclusion supports children in being proud of their identity, boosting their sense of belonging.

For example, celebrating cultural differences within a group setting allows every child to feel visible and valued. It could involve introducing activities or strategies that reflect their background.

Promoting Independence and Self-Efficacy

Children benefit from learning how to handle challenges by themselves. A person-centred approach shifts focus to empowering children. The goal is to give them tools to solve problems, cope with emotions, and explore solutions independently.

Proactive strategies might encourage independence through:

• Role-playing scenarios where children practise problem-solving.
• Creating opportunities where children can express their opinions and make decisions.

Children who feel capable of managing situations themselves grow in confidence and take more responsibility for their actions.

Avoiding Negative Labels

Labelling children based on how they behave can harm their self-worth. For instance, calling a child “disruptive” risks being misunderstood as their only defining trait. A person-centred approach focuses on behaviours rather than labels, aiming instead to understand the driving forces behind actions.

Proactive strategies instead offer practical support to target these behaviours. Examples include practising calming exercises, adjusting routines, or making environmental changes to help the child focus better.

Final Thoughts

Using a child-centred approach with proactive strategies benefits children, parents, and practitioners. Children feel respected and understood. Parents feel reassured that their child is being supported based on who they are as an individual. Practitioners face fewer challenges managing behaviour reactively, allowing more energy to be focussed on development and understanding.

This approach helps children grow into confident, emotionally aware individuals. Placing the child at the centre of every decision promotes long-term success—both for the child and their wider environment.