http://www.zerotothree.org/
This week, the newsletter that I received from the ZERO to THREE website gave tips and advice on children aged 14 months. There is a list of things that your child "can" do (walk while holding your hand, copies actions) and a list of things you can do to connect with our child during these times (read books that interest your child, involve your child self help tasks). I know many parents that have gained more knowledge while using the website in dealing with these milestones. Social-emotional, language, physical, and thinking skills are discussed in detail.
The latest research on these topics and age is also discussed; very useful information for parents and teachers. Here is an article on the subject discussed, how imitation predicts well-developed conscience: American Psychological Society (2004, October 28). Toddlers’ imitation predicts well-developed conscience. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 3, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041027113855.htm
What I like most about this article is how it explains how imitation is a great way for your child to learn new skills and to discover, at the same time, how good it feels to be helpful.
There is also a helpful section on how to help children deal with change. These include severe changes to minor changes. To a child, the severity of a change is up to them. It is up to us to help find the source of their unhappiness as it has to do with the change and then address the problem from there in a child-centered way.
This article is disturbing. So if we decide we can predict whether or not toddlers will develop conscience, what is to stop us from trying to diagnose and medicate and remediate children who have no problems, but are determined by professionals to have not shown enough 'imitation?" We have to be very careful with the implications of how we assess developing children, especially when it comes to labeling children with issues they don't have. because after you decide the child isn't showing signs of developing conscience, what is the next step? Flagging them for being potential criminals?
ReplyDeleteI have always been interested in the Zero to Three organization. In our last two classes, we had many resources from this organization to read and they always shared a multitude of valuable information for educators, parents, and others interested in the early childhood field. I think it is important for an organization to target ALL people to elicit an understanding and response. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAshley Richards