Feeling safe and secure
Feeling capable
Children are more likely to participate, contribute and try new experiences when they feel emotionally safe and supported.
- Feeling capable helps children engage with confidence
- Encouragement and support help children have a go
- Children build capability through participation and practice
- Safe and supportive environments help children develop independence
Through a child's eyes...
“I feel more confident to join in and have a go when I know my efforts are valued.”
In everyday moments...
Children develop a sense of capability through everyday opportunities to participate, contribute and practise new skills. Being trusted to try, help and make decisions supports growing confidence and independence.
Simple ideas to try
- Invite children to help with everyday tasks
- Encourage children to try things before stepping in
- Allow time for practice and problem-solving
- Notice and celebrate effort, persistence and progress
Building through relationships...
Children feel more capable when adults encourage effort, support participation and respond positively to mistakes and challenges. Feeling emotionally safe helps children build confidence to keep trying.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to "have a go" without pressure
- Respond calmly when mistakes happen
- Focus on effort and persistence rather than perfection
- Offer support without taking over too quickly
Learning through play...
Play gives children opportunities to experiment, solve problems and build confidence in their abilities. Open-ended play supports independence, decision-making and persistence.
Simple ideas to try
- Create opportunities for child-led play
- Encourage problem-solving through play experiences
- Allow children to explore different ways of doing things
- Provide open-ended materials that invite experimentation
Creating supportive spaces...
Children are more likely to participate and try new experiences in environments that feel safe, welcoming and manageable. Spaces that encourage independence and choice help children build confidence and capability.
Simple ideas to try
- Arrange materials so children can access them independently
- Create spaces that encourage choice and participation
- Provide manageable challenges within play and learning
- Allow children opportunities to contribute within the environment
Supporting children across contexts...
At home ...
Children build confidence when families create opportunities for participation, contribution and independence within everyday life. Sharing children's growing skills and interests with educators can help support continuity across contexts.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to contribute to family routines
- Allow time for children to attempt tasks independently
- Talk positively about learning through mistakes
- Share new tasks and skills children accomplish with educators
In early learning settings...
Children develop capability when educators create emotionally safe environments that encourage participation, curiosity and persistence. Partnerships with families help children experience confidence and support across the important places in their lives.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to contribute ideas and make choices
- Support children through manageable challenges
- Celebrate effort, persistence and participation
- Share children's growing confidence and achievements with families
Try this today...
- Encourage your child to try something independently before helping
- Notice and acknowledge one effort your child makes today
- Allow time for problem-solving without rushing in
- Invite your child to contribute to an everyday task
- Celebrate persistence, not just success