The importance of role-taking skills in the social development of
children has been well documented. Further, it has been shown that
children's development of role-taking skills is dependent upon the
quantity and quality of social interactions which require the
consideration of alternative perspectives. Given recent evidence of
the importance of...
It’s not always easy to act responsibly. It’s tempting sometimes to lie back and let someone else take over. Or to blame another for what you did. Children are more likely to resist such urges if they learn at a young age that we all have to pitch in and...
Life is not what it used to be. Yesterday’s child grew up, lived, and died within a small community. Today’s child, on the other hand, faces a kaleidoscope of choices. And tomorrow’s child will enter an even more diverse world. You may wonder how you can help your child live...
To a large extent, then, we become what we think we are:
Those who think they can do, do.
Those who think they cannot, do not.
This is true for all of us. But it is especially true for young children. The responses of parents and other adults have a...
When your children are about to start formal schooling, you may worry: “Are they ready?” or “Have I done enough?”
Actually, you may have taught your children more than you realize. You’ve helped them learn basic survival skills. You’ve taught them to feed themselves, cross a street, and get along...
You probably believe your children need to be with other children. You’re right. To mature, your children need to have friends and be part of a group.
At the same time, you probably worry about the groups your children join. You should. At times, a peer group may tear down...
When children break bones or get fevers, they know something is wrong. Often, however, they don’t know what it is, why it is, how it happened, or if they will get better. Because they’re in pain and know so little, illness and injury can be very frightening.
Certainly you care about your children. That’s why you’re reading this. And, like most parents, you probably make many sacrifices to feed, clothe, and educate your children. You may brag about them to anyone who will listen. Perhaps you even carry their pictures around to show off to your friends....
A two-sided story
Children can and do thrive under many different styles of parenting. The choice of an effective style is not a matter of “either/or,” but of finding a comfortable balance.
One of the concerns many parents have, for example, is whether to take a permissive or protective approach...
Learning how to interact with others is necessary for being a member of any group—family, neighborhood, school, work, or community organization. Through each new encounter we stretch our understanding of ourselves and others. Being able to understand and reach out to others makes us feel needed and competent, a part...