PRINCIPLE 8 Recognize problems as learning opportunities, and let infants and toddlers try to solve their own. Don’t rescue them, constantly make life easy for them, or try to protect them from all problems. A family child care provider has her home set up so that children can explore freely. She’s pleased by the way they make discoveries, run into problems, and take steps to solve them. Recently, she enrolled a two-year-old who is physically challenged and she’s trying to provide opportunities for him to explore, make discoveries and solve problems. Austin is not able to move from one place to another, so the provider helps him experience new sights and orientations by changing him from place to place in the room. He can reach out, if he is securely positioned so that he’s not in danger of falling over. The provider has figured out ways to get him close enough to the toys that he can make his own choices about what to play with. She either puts him close to the shelves, or takes one of the baskets of toys and lays it on its side so he can reach in. She has also modified some of the toys so they work easier. She watched him try to turn the pages of a board book, and he struggled so hard that he finally gave up. That time she rescued him, put him in her lap, and turned the pages for him as they read the book together. Later, she came up with the idea of gluing popsicle sticks to the pages, so he could get his hand around a stick and turn the pages. He’s delighted that he can do it himself, though he still looks to her to enjoy books with him. She’s investigating how to use a computer to provide even more opportunities for Austin to play with toys that he can easily interact with. Making something happen is an inner urge of all toddlers, and Austin, too, is intrigued with creating an effect. The provider is working hard to provide him with many opportunities.

1		What other ideas do you have to help this child explore in the environment even though he can’t get around by himself?
2		Imagine yourself at this moment, in the environment where you are right now, physically challenged. What kind of help would you need to make use of your limited reach and grasp if you had a strong desire to make an effect on something in your environment?
3		Think about the various ways this caregiver could move Austin from place to place in her home or make it possible for him to move himself.
4		What might be some barriers in the average home that would prevent this child from exploring the environment more fully? Related Web Links