Introduction
In our society, children are considered the most inquisitive and fast growing members. Attention and care for children has been considered of importance as they are vulnerable to injury and/or adopting socially unfit behavior. At the childhood stage, much is seen and heard by the child. These experiences can determine the character and behavior of the child. It even influences the language style and manners. Society has put into place institutions to help shape the child to a desired personality. There are education and care institutions for children from as low as 2 years on to 5 or 6 years when the child becomes a toddler. It is said that the child has a blank mind when in the infancy stage; it is what you put into the child’s mind that will be used for the development of social traits. Therefore, care and attention to a child is paramount if we want a society that is socially upright. A child depends on the adult for care and protection and this has led to institutes being formed to address the task. Examples are the nursery schools, day care centers, Sunday school for the children, nannies, and a host of others. The rationale is that an assumption is such that what is being taught is morally correct. (Action for Child Protection, 2003)
Discussion
Children’s laws have been established to help in guiding the caregivers on how to handle a child. International organizations like the United Nations International Children Education Fund, address the plight of child care and upbringing. It was observed that children grew up with difficulty adopting peculiar traits since their parents continue to be busy and lack time for the child. In a commercialized society, the child is not allowed to be a ‘child’ and is occasionally seen as a bother when trying to play or even asks questions. (Wood etal, 2007)
Most parents, due to their busy schedules, send their children to caregivers for care and attention. Safety of the child should be at first considered before handing over the child to the caregiver. A study was carried out on hearing of the caregiver and the safety of the child. Sounds that can alert an adult may not be heard to alert the caregiver. They are the first to handle the child apart from the parents. In the house different objects are found that can cause harm to the child. As a caregiver the babysitter needs to be vigilant as well us cheerful. The child tends to act with authority since they are in their territory. (Grlwthashttrdhrt, 2008)
The caregiver should create friendship bond before enforcing measures that will protect the child from danger. Play and fun is encouraged but caution is advised with limitations. Remember the child has no judgment of its actions and can venture into areas that have unsafe objects such as the kitchen. The babysitter has a challenge of giving the child the first moral lessons outside the parents. Cheeky behavior in the house can be associated with children of 2-3 years running around the house. These children are very adventurous and should be looked at always. The babysitter keeps the child in watch by engaging in games and stories that restrict movement. This calls for a young and vibrant babysitter as opposed to elderly persons. (Wood etal, 2007)
Trusting a babysitter can be hard as most are considered shady. They can neglect the child and will not give an account for injuries caused to the child. They are mostly not involved in the safety measures formulation. The caregiver in the home should be involved to better articulate the safety of the child. Collaborative measures to ensure safety of the child is adopted once the caregiver participates in the planning of safety measures. (Connie, 2008)
As the child grows, they will venture out of the house. The parent can send the child to a day care if he/she has not attained school going age. In the day care the caregiver is supposed to teach the child how to always be safe. Learning safe habits early is beneficial to the child then and in years to come. Caregivers should work together with parents to improve the chances of success. This is can be likened to timely childhood teaching and is significant for caution when danger strikes. (Grlwthashttrdhrt, 2008)
Children can be dependant on their caregivers as they tend to have faith in them. A study was done with children in grade school and results were established that blood relation intrusiveness and child division worry were related with clingy, reliant association with caregivers. This poses a tricky task for the caregiver as the child will feel helpless without their control. The idea of cultivating the morals in the child can work greatest. A well prepared child can survive in any neighborhood. (National Crime Prevention Council, 2002)
A child that lives in foster care, on the other hand, undergoes diverse challenges. It is believed that there is no safety in foster care homes or parents, the children build up manners that are not socially upright. In Massachusetts in 1990s the foster parents were established to be living aggressive and drug crammed lives. This heavily impacted on the children they adopted. Separation from daily activities and engaging the children in a moral upbringing can help. They do not have to be exposed to the intoxicants seeing or using. Some caregivers even foster for monetary gain from the government. This creates a feeling of commercializing child care. Vetting of foster parents should be encouraged to avoid blameless children being tainted. (Connie, 2008)
The ultimate caregivers of the child are the parents. Parents have the moral duty to care for their children from birth to when they reach adult stage (18 years). In a world that is continually getting busy, parents need to devise plans in which they can spend time with the children. Trusting other caregivers outside the family setting you’re your children, results in disparity. It used to be weekends and holidays, nowadays it seems only hours in a day are spent on children. All caregivers have similar obligations; it is the loves for the child that will determine how a caregiver bonds and helps the child grow morally. (National Crime Prevention Council, 2002)
Conclusion
Caregivers are vital in our rapid lives where everything is done in adult like manner. Time, work, sleep just to mention a few, have all been synchronized to cope with the demand of today’s world. Vetting of our caregivers for the children is paramount if we need to preserve a morally upright society. Media all over is filled with lots of socially unfit scenes that influence our children. The bible teaches that if a child is trained correctly he/she will not part from the ways. Caregivers have to be well equipped for the task of training the children.
List of References
Action for Child Protection (2003). Caregiver Involvement in Safety Planning. Web.
Connie J.S (2008).Safe First Preschool Safety Education. Web.
Grlwthashttrdhrt (2008) Unable to Find Safety: How the Foster Care SystemFails its Children. Web.
National Crime Prevention Council (2002).Caregivers Guide to School Safety and Security. Web.
Wood J.J etal (2007).Dependency on Elementary School Caregivers. Web.