In the next video we learn about the importance of daily rest in ECEC. A moment of rest is a cornerstone in supporting the child's holistic wellbeing.
In the video:
Individualized and calming pre-nap routines
Rest promotes learning, memory, and self-regulation
Summary
Children also need downtime and rest during the day in early education. A calm and relaxing moment of rest is a cornerstone in supporting the child's holistic wellbeing. Rest is needed not only to recharge and unwind, but also to stay creative,
innovative, motivated and active. Rest is very important for brain development. The studies suggest that the quantity and quality of sleep also have a profound impact on learning and memory. First, with adequate sleep, we can focus our attention optimally
and therefore learn efficiently. Second, sleep itself has a role in the consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information. Resting children's brains also helps in the development of their self-regulation skills. It's
important to have a moment without any external stimulus, just with our own thoughts.
In Finnish early education, children of all ages have their daily rest. For all of us, it is important to learn how to unwind and reduce stress. The
ECEC personnel help the children to relax by guiding their attention to pleasant and soothing things. The routines make the day more predictable and more enjoyable for the children. Setting the lighting and the right temperature, choosing the background
music, picking out the book to read aloud, setting up the beds, and the practical organization of the children's transition to resting are all pedagogical choices. The learning spaces we use reflect our pedagogical vision and expertise. It also reflects
how we see the child and how we understand childhood.
