EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

IMAGINATION AND FREE PLAY IS ESSENTIAL TO CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

A child without phones, TV’s, video games, etc. to fill up their time, will most likely develop a better thinking brain AND a healthy body: spiritually, physically, and emotionally. There’s only a certain amount of time before this open period comes to a close. Yes, everyone can still increase in learning new things, but the ability to think critically, to problem-solve, to know right from wrong, to be able to effectively talk to a variety of people (boys, girls, adults, younger children) and develop healthy relationships and leadership roles.

Here are the basic stages as given by Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D., author of Taking Back Childhood.

1) Birth to 2 years: Sensory-Motor Learning

Our youngest children begin learning by listening, and learning about their world with their body and senses. “At two…moving from pure action to symbolic thought - and from thinking they are the center of the world to realizing they are not."

2) A Prelogical View of the World: 3-6 years: Social skills are built during this time, as well as much exploration. It is during these years that we can encourage our children to “see other points of view by building new ideas onto how they already see things.”

3) A Shift Begins: 6-7 years

Children in this age group start thinking more logically and seeing that there’s more that meets the eye in many cases. REASONING. They also notice the impact they can make on others’ feelings - just to get a reaction. “We can use our children’s budding understanding of causality and underlying motives and feelings to help them make new and important connections, especially in the social arena. Doing this will support them as they play, help them consolidate a strong sense of inner security, and encourage them to build more positive relationships with us and with their peers.”

4. The World Opens Up: 8-10 years

Now they’re looking at and taking on the world with great energy. They still have their own views, but are more open to others now. They have deep conversations with us, learn the art of negotiation, etc. It is important that we support them at this stage by LISTENING to them when they want to talk about what matters to them. PRAISE them for accomplishments. INTERACT with them. It is important that kids this age feel confident and secure which will in turn create stronger relationships with family and friends.

So, for most of this time, it is best if both you and your children UNPLUG from too many activities, too much TV, video games, and even the cell phone. These things can (and often do) impact child development negatively. Grandparents: You are not doing your 7-year old grandchild any favors by buying them a cell phone. Yes, they’ll love you for it. But they would love interaction with you even more.

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What Do You Believe?

God Bless Our Children

Do you believe kids are like sponges and absorb as much as they can from the world around them? I believe they are smart, quick, and wonderful! How important is it, then, to teach kids the value of having good character?

What about at work? Do you believe the best and happiest employees are just gifted? Or is there something else? What makes an employee great? What makes him feel good about his job?

Are you passionate about improving the general condition of our country? I know it’s too much to hope for Utopia, but I believe we can lessen hate, violence, foul language, and selfishness, among other things.

I hope you’ll join me in this effort with your kids and grandkids. God bless the children and those who instruct them in the way they should go.

SEPTEMBER 26TH - GLOBAL DAY OF CHARACTER

CHARACTER - THE REASON I WRITE

Take a moment to reflect on this. What does having character even mean?

To me, it means who you really are on the inside, even when no one is watching or listening. The choices we make every day show our character. I personally am writing for young people in an effort to encourage good character qualities in friendships and families. But that’s not the only place character can be impacted.

The workplace is another. By making sound choices, everyone can impact their workplace for the better. It’s never too late for someone to change, if they want. Many times, when people see others who are solidly happy and at peace with the world, they will befriend that person in an attempt to gain the same from them. We are all ambassadors of some kind of character. Even if we don’t intend to, we DO influence people around us. Our speech, actions, and attitudes, are always on display.

So, think about it tomorrow. Ask yourself these questions:

• Can good people do bad things? (Of course! Learning from our mistakes and moving on is important.)

• Who am I? (Don’t let someone else tell you. Answer for yourself.)

• Who do I want to be? (If you really want, you can change bad habits.)

• How can I improve? (Talk to a trusted friend or family member about an area you are working on and ask them to remind you if you start to slip.)

Character. It’s something we always need to work on. Set good examples for your kids. They are our future!

Family!

Last week on the Chickadee Cheer Newsletter we talked about family traditions with the first day of school. (Sign up to join.) A warm batch of cookies at the end of the first day is a wonderful welcome and an expression of love. And, also last week, I met a gentleman at a library event who is a historian and presenter at schools. Suffice it to say, I am now hooked on finding out more about our family...

I knew my sister still had most of dad's photos and letters, so I met with her last week and we looked over them for hours. Isn't it frustrating looking at photos with no names on them? Who were these people? And, are we any different today? I know I have a box on the top shelf of my closet with photos (nicely organized by my daughter) with no names or dates on them either. I can safely assume that today most folks have digital files for photos. Will our future generations have access to those? Will they be labeled? It's something to think about.

I've become very interested in the history of our family. In fact, I started with one of the templates out there, MyHeritage.com, and started entering our immediate family. Surprisingly, this was difficult for me. I need to check with everyone just to obtain dates: birthdays (with years), wedding dates (with years), and for those loved ones who have passed, date of death. So busy living this life, I haven't made keeping up with this any kind of priority. 

I selected just one family line to research: my dad's grandfather on his mother's side. I am telling you, it is fascinating. I actually traced his lineage all the way back to Adam!! It took the better part of 3 days to do it, and I really must get back to this life, but I'm glad that I did. I've even done a little bit of research here and there to confirm things are accurate, and they have been.

These days, it seems we are becoming more tribal. Are we just groups of people doing our own things without really thinking of the country as a whole; or our family as a whole. Loyalty, honor, trust, sacrifice, love, faith. While we're busy making our futures, let's not forget our past. And don't let our lives be forever forgotten either.

~ Kathy

Praising Kids

Boost a Kid's Self-Image

It is so easy to find fault with kids, isn't it? I'm writing this post for myself, as well as for other parents, teachers, and grandparents - anyone who is working with kids. How many times a day do we correct versus praise? Do you remember what it's like to be a kid? I'd like to share a little of a post about this from the blog of Character First. I'll give you the link to the whole article too.

As a kid, I remember my mother being very critical about the way things were done. I did learn, but it was hard on her, and me sometimes. My dad was always encouraging and worked with me in creative and inventive ways. But enough of me. It's important to note that everything we say, including HOW we say it, is important and will impact the hearer. That could be a kid, a spouse, a friend, or anyone.

What will a little girl think about herself if she hears her dad say, "she's ugly" about an actress on TV? Yes, that's right. He wasn't even talking to her. But she will think to herself, "what does that make me?"

What will a little boy think if he's trying to help in the kitchen and mom says, "just let me do it." He will think, "I guess I'm not good at this." Chances are he won't offer to help anymore. And, maybe he won't help - even after he's married!!

"If we want to help our children develop and grow their creative selves, we need to provide them with a sense of security so that they have the courage to try something new. They need our reassurance that even if they fail that we love and support them. When we focus on reinforcing their positive attempts to become more creative, we actually encourage them to step out a little further the next time; and see things and do things in new and interesting ways." Dr. Virginia Smith, EdD

Use specific words when you praise. Just saying "good job" isn't enough. Say why you like it, and how you know how much time and effort they must have spent to accomplish their goal. This leads to growth in their self-confidence and gives them courage to try more new things down the road.

"As parents, teachers, and care-givers it is our privilege to encourage our children’s growth and development, not only in competence and doing things well, but especially in character. It is the character component that will help them reach their full potential and live happy and fulfilling lives." Dr. Virginia Smith, EdD

Character First is well worth checking out. They have an excellent curriculum for the development of character. I wish I would have had this resource years ago. Click this link to read the whole article.