Explain what constitutes the physical and psychological needs of a three year old child. Explain how these needs can ideally be met in a childcare setting.
• Define physical needs (10)
• Give a full explanation of the steps carers should ideally take to fulfil these physical needs. (20)
• Define psychological needs-focus on emotional and social needs (10)
• Give a full explanation of carers should ideally take to ensure the child’s emotional and social well-being. (20)
Every child has needs. A need is defined as “a requirement, a thing necessary for life” (Pollard and Liebeck, 1994,
p 539). In this essay I will be looking in particular into the physical and psychological needs of a three year old child and how they should be met in a childcare setting with association to The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (2012).
A three year old child is starting to become more self-sufficient, more independent, wishing to do things with less help from adults. Physical development permits children to discover their surroundings, which allows them for new kinds of behaviour. It has an important effect on cognitive, emotional and social development. It also affects the way in which others respond to the child and influences the child’s self-concept and self esteem (Bee, 1995). Psychological development consists social and emotional needs. Socialization is the way in which we learn to become members of groups within our society and culture. Developing emotionally is learning how to express and cope with feelings that are socially acceptable for the culture we live in. In a childcare setting the physiological needs such as fresh air, sleep, warmth, exercise, food and nutrition must be carried out. If there is a lack any of these areas the child will become tired, anxious, irritable, or malnourished and in such circumstances the child would be unable to develop fully. A childcare provider needs to provide opportunities for all three year olds to have a...