There are many professional development opportunities, as well as research-based information, that can help lay the foundation to incorporating healthy, appropriate touch and clearly outlined touch policies. Professional development for positive touch approach Policies and practices should include guidelines for staff training on positive touch educational activities to teach children about appropriate and inapporpriate touch safeguards to limit allegations of abuse parent information and sharing policies, practices, and information on positive touch with families. Effective policies and practices for touch are designed to increase the use of positive touch, prevent the possibility of abuse, and inform families. Written guidelines help staff to offer safe, healthy, appropriate, and supportive environments and interactions with children. Policies provide clear information so there is no confusion about what may or may not be appropriate. Written policies and guidelines should be available for all early educators regarding touch, including child abuse prevention. Warm, responsive touches convey regard and concern for children of any age.” – Prevention of Child Abuse in Early Childhood Programs and the Responsibilities of Early Childhood Professionals to Prevent Child Abuse, NAEYC Position Statement Touch practices and policies for early care and education programsĮarly educators and child care programs have a legal and ethical mandate to protect children in their care and also are expected to have an understanding of the benefits of appropriate, respectful touch and its critical role in healthy child development. Touch is especially important for infants and toddlers. No-touch policies are misguided efforts that fail to recognize the importance of touch to children’s healthy development. In the wake of well publicized allegations of child abuse in out-of-home settings and increased concerns regarding liability, some programs have instituted such policies, either explicitly or implicitly. “Programs should not institute ‘no-touch policies’ to reduce the risk of abuse. More often it is because programs want to protect staff from allegations of inappropriate touch or child abuse. Sometimes it is believed that to prepare children for elementary school, caregivers need to be more firm and detached. Yet some programs discourage staff from offering touch to young children. It assists our mission of offering quality, nurturing, responsive experiences to support learning and provide happy childcare experiences. It may be a gentle hand on the shoulders of two children working out a problem. It may be helping a child climb the ladder to the slide. It may be holding a child to help him calm down and to show you care. It may be helping to put a coat on or changing a diaper. Think about your day with children and the times you offer touch.
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