Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is from personal experience and not from the views of a professional child expert.
As a parent and educator, I love to watch children grow as much as I love being a part of their growth. Children are so pliable with fresh brains, ready to receive any information that they are given. As a psychology major, I can’t help but think about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Physiological, Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem, and Self-Actualization) when I think about nourishing children. The lower needs in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. Here are some tips for doing so.
1. Consistency is key. I know it sounds cliche, but repetition is great for children. Whether learning or providing routine structure in the home. Do and say things over and over until it’s ‘sticky’ in their brains.
2. Respect them. As children we were probably trained to ‘respect our elders,’ and yes, that’s great. But we must respect children as little human beings. They have feelings, opinions, ideas, and emotions just like we do. As an educator, it’s easy to build relationships with my students because I respect them as human beings first.
3. It’s never too early to train a child. Research shows that 90% of a child's brain develops during the first 5 years of life. And when I think about pre-teen/teen years, teach and train them about the real world before society and acquaintances try to. We know that some adolescents love to rebel during that stage of life, but have faith in the foundation that you instilled in them.
4. Give encouragement/praise. Children love praise and usually hate disappointing their guardian. Praise the small things. Make it noticeable. Let them know that you see them and that you’re proud. It motivates them to keep going and do more.
5. Visual learners. I am aware that there are different types of learners (kinesthetic, visual, etc.) but I stand on my point that children learn from watching others. Be the example. Period.
6. Allow the question ‘Why?’ I don’t know about you, but growing up in my family, I couldn’t ask ‘why?’ to an adult. I was trained to do what was told, no questions asked. But children are curious beings. There’s a whole world that they are seeking to understand. Use the ‘why’ moments as teachable moments, instead of “because I said so.”
Mrs. Samone Warren is a wife, mother, and 1st & 2nd grade teacher. She is also the Co-Founder of BeHER, an organization created to empower young girls to be humble, elegant, and respectful. Samone also is a mentor with 10+ years of experience working with children. You may follow BeHER on Facebook by using the button below.
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