One of the most important things you can do for the young child is provide opportunities to become a more social being. As with all learning at this stage of life, children need to actually do or be shown, not told, what is right. First of all, you are there as a role model. The way you talk to children, to other nannies, to parents, to your own friends, to the cashier in the grocery store is observed each and everyday day by the children. They hear tone of voice, see facial expressions and watch for results of interchanges with others.
Children have a way of recreating our language, expressions and gestures in their pretend play.
Your position as role model is crucial when it comes to accepting diversity and conflict. Children will take your lead. When you treat all children equally, you are showing them how it is done. If a child or adult is treated differently than the rest because of their appearance or behavior, children pick up on that. You need to be sure your interaction with others is kind, respectful and courteous.