Desirable Characteristics of

Persons Working with

Children and Families
Savannah Hill

Kindness
-They go out of their way to reassure
-Helps others
-Treats others kindly
-Kindness helps children and their parents to
actually like you.

Nurturance
-Being able to nurture others and help them
grow.
-Being able to support efforts, applaud
successes, and soothe disappointments.
-Give love and warmth to children.
-Parents will know that their children are
being taken care of.

Gentleness
-Physically and emotionally.
-Appreciative of sensitivity.
-Gentleness allows children to have a role
model to guide them, and allows parents to
trust the caregiver.

Nonjudgmental
-Accepting different values and beliefs.
-Avoid criticizing or judging.
-This trait is important because if the
caregiver is judgmental, individuals will
most likely try to avoid them, becoming
unapproachable.

Tolerant of differences
-Comfortable working with a diverse array of
families, children, and other center
personnel.
-This trait is important to have because if
one isnt tolerant, it will be difficult to
build a good relationship with anyone.

Accepting of mistakes
-Support

childrens efforts to learn and

encourage them.
-This trait is important because if the adult
doesnt understand that everyone makes
mistakes, then they will get too frustrated
and stressed.

Mature judgment
-Must know how to handle conflict and know
when to give extra love and support to an
upset child.
-This trait is important because the adult
must know when to back off, stick up for
theirself, or when to intervene.

Sense of humor
-Use gentle humor.
-No sarcasm, ridicule, or laughing at others.
-This trait is important because it can help
defuse confrontations and even help the
children relax and feel more comfortable.

Knowledgeable about childrens development

Trained staff with the correct education on
child development can have an easier time
planning activities and understanding needs
and behavior patterns of children.

Enthusiasm for learning

-Having this trait can encourage children to
have the same attitude toward learning
themselves. If you model an attitude,
children will most likely copy.

Open to new ideas

A staff member who is open to new ideas are
is more pleasant to work with and help
others. A staff member who is not can make it
difficult to make any progress.

Positive sense of self-esteem

-Supports the sense that anyone can be
successful and that what they think or do
matters to the parents and children.

Honesty and reliability

-Allows others to be able to count on one
another.
-Parents trust staff with children