Alternative Care for Children

• After birth of a baby the process of development and learning activities begin, they go on for the lifetime but changes according to the age. The period from 0-6 years of age is a crucial stage. The experiences gained in the childhood are important for developing positivity in life. For this, along with mother’s care some other optional care is also required. There are many options available in our society and education system which are useful for the all-round development of a child. Following are the options-

Age: 0-2 years

1. Home-based child care provider- Appointing a nanny for taking care of child at home and for helping him in his daily activities.
2. Creche day care center- This is very useful for working women. Working women put their children aged 0-2 years in a crèche where they are taken care of.
3. Mobile creche- This crèche is run by non-governmental organizations and takes care of deprived and neglected children of labourers who move from one place to another for construction work. Easy to install tents are used where these children are taught.

Age: 2-4 years

1. Laboratory nursery school- In these schools children up to the age of 2-1/2 years to 3-1/ 2 years are taught skills and basic knowledge while performing playful activities.
2. Play school- This education system is completely based on learning while playing because this is an effective and interesting medium of learning. Different types of games are organized for teaching children lessons in an interesting and entertaining manner. This encourages children to express their feelings, interests, opinions and this leads to an all-round development of the child. The activities and time set for learning is flexible and thus, it removes fear of schools from a child’s mind.

Age: 4-6 years

1. Kindergarten- Fredrick William Froebel (1782 A.D. — 1852 A.D. ) gave the concept of Kindergarten in 1837. The Froebel gifts are play materials for young children designed by Friedrich Froebel for the all-round development of children. The Froebel gifts are-
   Gift I- Group of 6 colored balls
   Gift II- Set of wooden sphere, cylinder and cube.
   Gift III, IV, V, and VI – Block set of different shapes and size.
   Gift VII- Triangular and square shaped wooden set
   Gift VIII- Wooden straight lines and rounds of paper
   Gift IX- Set of seeds, stones, paper Gift X- Straw, sharp wood, wax etc.
   With the help of these gifts, Froebel explained the concept of solid, liquid, surface, lines etc. Clay baking, paper folding, paper cutting, beads threading, buttoning, drawing, etc. is included in this method.
2. Montessori school- Montessori (1870-1952 A.D.) emphasized the uses of senses in schooling of children. This type of learning is based on self-directed activity, for which different study material was given to the children. Montessori emphasized on practical activities, training of senses, and study of nature, language development, and intellectual learning.
3. Pre-basic education- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) stressed on pre-basic education. He opined that education system should be child-centered. He emphasized on increasing creativity of children. The main purpose of this was development of habits, qualities, cleanliness (personal and of society), discipline, good language.

The government has started various programmes for optional care of children-

1. Balwadi- The Balwadi programme has been started for the benefit of children. The activities, games, nutrition of children from 3-6 years of age are taken care of.
2. Anganwadi- This programme is run by government as a part of ICDS for children of 0-6 years, mothers and teenagers. The education and nutrition related needs are taken care of.

Home Science Latest Post :- Click Here

Important Points of Alternative Care for Children :- 

1. The period from 0-6 years of age is a crucial stage in child’s life.
2. A nanny is appointed for taking care of child at home.
3. Working women put their children aged 0-2 years in a crèche where they are taken care of.
4. Laboratory nursery schools are for the development of children of age 2-4 years through various activities.
5. Options for children of 4-6 years are kindergarten, Montessori school, pre-basic education, Balwadi and anganwadi.
6. Mobile crèche is run by non-governmental organizations and takes care of deprived and neglected children of labourers who move from

Alternative Care for Children Questions and Answers

1. The option for taking care of child at home is
(a) Crèche
(b) Nursery school
(c) Nanny
(d) Anganwadi

Click to show/hide

2. Which of the following is useful for the care of children of working women?
(a) Laboratory nursery school
(b) Balwadi
(c) Pre-basic education
(d) Crèche

Click to show/hide

3. The facility especially taking care of labourer’s children is
(a) Mobile crèche
(b) ICDS
(c) Kindergarten
(d) play school

Click to show/hide

4. Who emphasized on the use of senses for studying?
(a) Tara Bai Modak
(b) Maria Montessori
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) Mahatma Gandhi

Click to show/hide

5. The founder of Kindergarten
(a) Frederick William Froebel
(b) Maria Montessori
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) John Rousseau

Answer :- ?????