CHILDREN ARE MEANT TO BE 'RESTLESS'💃🏻

Your children are trying to understand the world in the first few years of their lives.

They have a sensitive period for things like language, smell, socialization, orderliness, movement etc, and that sensitivity is fed by exploration through play and movement.

At this point, the child's mind is absorbing everything in their environment and the child is sensitive to specific skills and abilities at different times during the period between ages 0 and 7.

Unfortunately, this is the period when parents are trying to win their 'parenting badges' as no-nonsense parents. 🙆‍♀️

You are determined to control the child in the church, at social gatherings, at home, in school( many teachers are also clueless), in the compound and everywhere else.

So what happens, the child hears endless instructions and commands "no, stop it, get out, sit down, face the wall " and more.

In addition, they get some good spanking, yelling, scolding and shaming.

All for trying to be and do what they should do.😰

And so the child is HEAVILY hindered from exploring, feeding their curiosity and understanding their world. They are hindered from growing and developing naturally.

Plus their cognitive ability is altered and creativity destroyed. Ultimately, the child loses their instinct.

In plain language; this is how many of us parents killed our children's creativity, instinct and ability to problem solve.

As I said earlier this sensitive period happens between 0-7, after which the child would consciously have to motivate themselves and be supported to learn these skills.

Unfortunately, even at this point, many parents do not still understand the concept of child-led learning and the need for practice to develop various 'muscles', and so their children are still controlled in the name of safety, discipline, having a good life and academic support.

Hence what they get is more help from domestic staff, teachers, parents and everyone available. it's an endless system where adults direct their learning and the children fail to build their ability to solve problems and learn independently.

Dear toddler parents, I promise you, absorb this and you will be able to create a solid foundation for your child. No, they aren't restless, they are just learning( a good school will partner with you on this)

Dear parents of a child and preteen; they need to do more on their own, they need to use the skills they've learnt to build the stamina needed to navigate on their own ( we help them do this at the Mastermind Circle)

Dear parents of teens; if they struggle already then the gaps above are already manifesting. Get knowledge ( we help you through or mentor parent support programs ), try connecting with them all over again and get a mentor to work with you ( we will be glad to refer you to teen mentors who can help you)

Remember, the parenting advantage you offer your child today is the most important springboard of all springboards.

Selah.

Marybeth Chima

Educator & Parent Coach T

he MentorMum.