Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability that effects millions of children and their families. Many of us are familiar with autism from children that we knew growing up, neighbors and relatives, or from characters in movies, books, or TV. Families that have a child with autism know that there is often […]
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a topic filled with diverse opinions. To some, it seems like a modern trend that can hardly count as a real diagnosis. For parents of children with ADHD, it is often a central focus of their lives, the cause of much stress, concern, and early grey hairs. Others struggle […]
Parents are arguably the most important person on a child’s side in helping them to avoid addiction to alcohol and harmful drugs. Teenagers who have regular, serious conversations about drug prevention with their parents are around 50% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t, according to the National Survey on Drug Use […]
Alan J. Hawkins, a professor at Brigham Young University, wrote an article entitled “Responsible Citizenship to Strengthen Marriage and Family” that was originally published in the Marriage and Families journal in 2006. The following is from his article. “Citizens of democratic governments enjoy great freedoms, but they also carry a burden of responsibility… All citizens […]
How important is the relationship between a parent and a child? Are there really long term effects for taking time to bond with your child or even neglecting your child? The answers may seem obvious. Of course the parent-child relationship matters and is critical to a child’s health and well-being. As every relationship is critical […]
This is the fourth blog in a series titled, “The Core Concepts of Development.” Click here for part 1, click here for part 2, and click here for part 3. Children are motivated to learn about themselves, others, and the world in which they live (Wittmer & Petersen 2010). Have you ever watched a newborn […]
This is the third blog in a series titled, “The Core Concepts of Development.” Click here for part 1 and click here for part 2. The ability to self-regulate is the backdrop of capabilities that allow the child to concentrate on a task, focus on another person’s feedback in a social situation, and control emotions […]
This is the second blog in a series titled, “The Core Concepts of Development.” Click here for part 1. All families and cultures have different backgrounds, experiences, dreams for their children, habits, and customs that guide their thinking about raising children (Coll & Magnuson, 2000). I was raised in a military family. Punctuality was important […]
This is the first blog in a series titled, “The Core Concepts of Development.” Both nature (genetic influences) and nurture (influences of environment, experience, and education) affect children’s development. When my first child, David, was born, I was determined to be the perfect parent. David was a very calm and obedient child. As I would […]
This is part three to the posts explaining what children really need. Click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Each child has the right to a posterity. “It is natural for each person to want to create progeny and to live into the future through them. This is each child’s destiny. Propaganda […]
