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When Resilient Kids Become Anxious Kids
Real Parents Have Resilience I often hear adults remark about their resilient kids when stressors mount. That’s always troubled me because depending on kids’ resilience when they are under stress can strain their cognitive and emotional strength and development. Resilient kids can become anxious kids. Premature Development If the pressures in their lives…
Read MoreTHE ANXIOUS MOTHERS CLUB
ANXIOUS MOTHERS FIND ANXIETY EXPRESSES ITSELF IN MANY WAYS Anxious mothers are devoted to their children but their anxiety makes it difficult to provide the care they want to give. Anxiety can range from unsettling to overwhelming: general all-day-long nervousness, periodic panic attacks, fears, preoccupations, worries, chest pain, butterflies in your stomach, rapid breathing,…
Read MoreHOW PETS CONNECT WITH EMOTIONS: KIDS & PETS AFTER 9-11
Welcome to the June 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Kids and Animals This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared stories and wisdom about kids and pets. Pets Lower Stress Levels in Children During the highly…
Read More“THEORY OF MIND” IN AUTISM
“THEORY OF MIND” In previous posts, I discussed how the mind works in young children. I explored “The Theory of Mind” which means how we infer mental states such as beliefs, desires, intentions, imagination and emotions that cause behavior or actions. It means that children and adults can reflect on what is going on in…
Read MorePRESCHOOLERS’ POINTS OF VIEW & DECEPTIONS
UNDERSTANDING FOUR-YEAR-OLDS There is a big shift in three- to four-years-olds in their ability to understand beliefs that are different from their own. As we have seen in previous posts, during their third year, children develop a strong sense of themselves. The word “I” is central in their vocabulary. But they still believe that everyone…
Read MoreWHEN THREE-YEAR-OLDS STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES
Welcome to the May 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Ages and Stages This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have talked about their children’s most rewarding and most challenging developmental periods. Please read to the end to…
Read MoreLISTENING TO PRESCHOOLERS
UNHEARD CHILD SERIES: Unheard Pre-Schooler The best parenting style for preschoolers is one that builds self-confidence. Using parental intelligence always helps. Three and four-year-olds are very focused on being heard. “I” is a central word in their vocabulary. They are proud to announce: “I am Claire!” “I am Eddie!” They want you to listen.…
Read MoreENGAGING YOUR BABY
UNHEARD CHILD SERIES: Unheard Baby part 3 MOTHER-BABY INTERACTIONS Interactions between mothers and babies at four months have been studied extensively to see how they communicate non-verbally by New York City research psychoanalyst, Dr. Beatrice Beebe among others. I had the privilege to study with Dr. Beebe for several years. It has generally been found…
Read MoreHOW QUICKLY DO YOU RESPOND TO YOUR BABY?
It’s natural to want others to listen to you. Children are no exception. From infancy to adolescence voices, gestures, facial expressions, postures and behaviors speak. What happens to expressions that go unheard? THE UNHEARD BABY: Part 2 QUIET AND ACTIVE MOTHERS AND BABIES Why do some parents respond quickly to their babies and others…
Read MoreHOW TO LISTEN TO YOUR BABY
It’s natural to want others to listen to you. Children are no exception. From infancy to adolescence voices, gestures, facial expressions, postures and behaviors speak. What happens to expressions that go unheard? THE UNHEARD BABY From birth, needs, wishes, and intentions are expressed in sounds and body movements. Actually, even in utero, the way a…
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