Skip to main content

Are Children So Different Today?

    I recently overheard a person negatively state, "The children of today are not like the children
when I was a kid!" Really? My mind immediately pictured events in my own childhood, my own children and grandchildren, and the many kids that I shared a part in their lives. The strange thing is that I heard the same exact comment in the seventies as a first year teacher and frequently as a principal throughout the many years of my career.
     So just what is it that this statement is trying to suggest? Most often it is associated with a negative back sided comment referring to the behavior of a child and a belief that behavior in children was far better years ago. That is nothing but old fashion 'hogwash'. Children have been children forever!
     Let's be clear... it is us, the adults, that have not taken the time to understand the concepts of childhood. Our forefathers and many of our adults today have one thing in common - a lack of knowledge in a child's development and the importance of outstanding parenting! Here are just a few suggestions to consider:


  1. Start with a true and honest examination of your priorities as a parent. You may say that your children are #1, but does your daily interactions demonstrate it? When I see high tech devices constantly taking the time of parents I truly wonder...
  2. Become knowledgeable of this stage in the development of your child. Read! Watch videos! Listen to speakers! As an example, a parent was trying to help their second grade student with a math problem. The question said, "If 2+2=4 then what + 4=7?" The child couldn't figure it out and the parent became frustrated trying to get the concept across to their kid. Solution - at about the age of most second graders they finally begin to understand abstract thinking, but not all! Give them time to develop and they will eventually understand the concept. For now keep their learning very concrete and visual. Even talking about it can be too abstract.
  3. Discipline is always controversial, but let me say this. It is not enough to just keep talking about a behavior that is bad for the child. Keep in mind that behavior will always continue as long as the child enjoys it. If they do not enjoy the behavior, they will stop; but you as a parent must replace the inappropriate behavior with one that is appropriate and reward it until the new behavior is well established. Often parents extinguish the bad behavior and forget to establish the new one. This can result a whole new behavior far worse than the original one.
     I am sure that enough has been said for today about childhood, but keep this in mind as the Lorax might have suggested, "Who speaks for the children - who have no voice?" You do...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE BOOK OF KATI - VOLUME 3 - SECRETS

SECRETS  Sshh, can you keep a secret? Should you keep a secret? Life in Tiny continues to be full of adventures for the Cow Pie Gang and the Fair November brings the whole town to life. The trials and tribulations of tween life continues with first dates and first break ups. When Kati uncovers a huge secret, she is torn and doesn't know if she should tell or not. After a week of turmoil and soul searching she finds out that some secrets aren't meant to be kept while other secrets reveal delightful surprises. 5.0 out of 5 stars   Wonderful series Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2018 Love the characters in this series. They are strong, true to life middle schoolers growing up in a small town. The adults in their lives are hands on without being too intrusive. I really like how the author portrays the thought processes the kids go through trying to understand their own issues and those of the people around them.
Post a Comment
Read more

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOU

I was at a community author talk not too long ago for aspiring authors, when a young lady in the middle of the room raised her hand, "Would you tell us more about your background? What were the influences or experiences in your life that led to your writing?" I smiled at the request, looked down at my feet for a brief moment, and nodded my head in silence. "So many," I answered, "so very many!" I was born in a small rural community in the Pacific Northwest. Our small one-bedroom home was situated just a stone's throw from the banks of the Snake River. Being an only child, I slept in the basement next to the warm coal furnace. During our freezing winters, this was an ideal place to have bed.  It was at this time, my mother took me to the library for the very first time. I stared at the rows of books in disbelief and excitement. My very first picture book book was one about dinosaurs. This love of books would later include Mark Twain's cha...
1 comment
Read more

Where Are You From?

The cowboy lay sprawled across three entire seats in the posh Amarillo theater. When the usher came by and noticed this he whispered to the cowboy, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The cowboy groaned but didn't budge. The usher became more impatient. "Sir, if you don't get up from there, I'm going to have to call the manager. The cowboy just groaned. The usher marched briskly back up the aisle. In a moment he returned with the manager. Together the two of them tried repeatedly to move the cowboy, but with no success. Finally, they summoned the police. The cop surveyed the situation briefly then asked, "All right buddy, what's your name?" "Sam," the cowboy moaned. "Where ya from, Sam?" With pain in his voice Sam replied.... " The balcony ."
1 comment
Read more