Planning for Each Child's Uniqueness

No two babies begin crawling, walking, and talking at exactly the same age. Some take longer to toilet train than others. When your kid refuses to sleep in his own room because there's a monster in the closet, you may think he's trying to manipulate you. The truth may lie elsewhere. He may be at the stage where fear of the dark is a prominent factor in the emotional landscape.Naturally, all parents want their kids to grow up to be happy and successful adults. Too many of us, however, push too hard and too fast. Chronological age and developmental level are often out of sync in young children. They may not even out until the child begins maturing. What's appropriate for one toddler, in a developmental sense, may not be right for another. To complicate things further, there are five major areas that are constantly interacting:

- Physical Development
- Intellectual Development
- Emotional Development
- Social Development
- Spiritual Development

One youngster I know is so well coordinated that he's a whiz at skiing and boulder hopping. Another, the same chronological age, is physically awkward. But this kid never gets lost. He has an innate sense of direction and a strong analytical aptitude. Someday he will be an expert at orienteering. Some kids are perpetual motion machines. Others prefer to sit quietly and observe. One day these children may become artists or musicians. In some children, physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development take place at roughly the same pace. When a single trait predominates, the child often finds it easier to learn new things if the lesson can be directed toward this strength. This is called a learning style.

With encouragement and the proper tools, children are eager to learn—when they are ready! If they're pushed, they may quit trying and never develop the skills necessary to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Try to recognize and validate the differences between your child and others the same age. Try to determine and accommodate your child's learning style.

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