Incorporating Maslow’s Hierarchy Into Every Day
Written by: Michaela Tratos, MS, LPC, NCC
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. The idea that to function and develop, our needs build upon each other, like a pyramid, we need the base to be strong to make sure the upper sections have the best chance of succeeding. This is true for us all. We can stack on a missing base, but then we miss out on other points that may support us in the future. Maslow’s hierarchy is a scaffold. And it actually plays a huge role in how the littles we work with interact with us. When we understand how it builds into their lives and incorporates it into our fields, we begin to see a big difference in how the littles we work with respond to us.
If I have a child coming to me that doesn't have the base of their needs met, they’re not going to understand that you want the best for them. They won't understand that they must follow the rules, they don’t care what you are trying to teach them. A meltdown with a child who doesn’t have his basic needs met is quite different from a child who is upset over a toy.
If a child is coming hungry, tired, scared, or anything from those first two tiers of the hierarchy triangle, they aren’t going to be able to accept or process anything from the upper tiers. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a great jumping-off point for us to start recognizing maybe what we're asking of our littles is not what they can give because their needs aren't met either.
So how do we do that as caregivers to little minds and bodies? We must ensure that their needs are met. This starts with building relationships. We often can have conversations with parents so we know what's going on at home in general. Do they have a place to live? Are they food insecure? We don’t have to know all details, but if something is off, it’s time to make sure the child’s basic needs are met with us. Knowing your community resources is an important piece. If you don't know community resources it might be something to ask your colleagues. There are some amazing services throughout the state of Wyoming, so reach out to your community to see where you can send the families you work with for help if they need it. You won’t know everything available, but if you have an idea of where to start, it helps.
When we know that those basic needs of the first and second tiers are met then we can start working with the kids. If you're curious more about how to incorporate understanding the hierarchy of needs with the work you're doing - reach out to us. We would love to sit and talk with you, brainstorming how we can help you recognize when needs are not being met and how to help ensure that child is getting the best care they can be given.
As early childhood educators, you are already superheroes. You are doing work that is hard and important. You don't have to fix everything in a child's life, yet understanding and implementing meeting littles needs will make a huge change in the work you are doing.
