Other policy
Research: Scottish report identifies under-3s provision to facilitate development
1 Jul 2003
The report is a review of the research evidence on the development of children from birth to three years old, and considers the implications of that evidence for the provision of out-of-home care. It provides an overview of the ways in which adults can contribute to children's development from the earliest stages, the kinds of adult attention and care that are beneficial, and the characteristics of out-of-home provision that meets young children's changing needs.
The report highlights the increasing pleasure 3 to 12 month infants get from vocal play and song, and the emphasis on expressive play required from caregivers (not largely reliant on toys or other material resources) in order to foster the child's disposition to learn in company. At 9 to 24 months a growing vocabulary comes along with a repertoire of gestures, behaviours and imitations. Before they can use words, infants communicate interest and pleasure in what they are doing non-verbally and use imitation to negotiate interests and form relationships. They will respond to talk and action that aims to foster their natural sociability and concern for others. Very young children need a social environment rich in opportunities to develop language, symbolic coding and classifying, movement and engagement with music, rhyme and creativity.
Between 24 and 36 months young children need imaginative and inventive play and discovery in groups, alone and with interested adults. The report highlights that practitioners are the most important resource in out-of-home provision.
Meeting the needs of children from birth to three: research evidence and implications for out-of-home provision, by Christine Stephen (University of Stirling), Aline-Wendy Dunlop (University of Strathclyde) and Colwyn Trevarthen (University of Edinburgh).
Visit www.scotland.gov.uk/insight/.
