Doctor ShefaliTsabery , Dan Siegel , Dr. Becky and even as far back as the 18th century Jean Jacques Rousseau the educator & philosopher, who had tremendous influence on educational practices say that “parenting is a journey.” “Your children are already superstars and your inability to see this is indicative of a lack within you not them.” says Dr. Shefali Tsabary. She further goes on to say “ parents need to get their heads straight for by healing their own wounds and be aware of their own emotional threshold.” She further states that “ when children are given the space to assert their authentic voice, when they are drowned out by the roar of parental agendas, they grow up anxious and depressed”. Now that is a bold statement and gives us a lot to think about. Again the word, mindful pops up front and center in my thinking.
The the fact is that each child has a different wiring and a different personality, as parents we have to find the right tools to navigate parenting challenges. What the educational experts are really proposing is an approach centered on the natural development of each child. They emphasize the importance of allowing children to learn through exploration , experience and hands-on activities. Even the latest report of 2023 from The National Institute For Early Educational Research (NIEER) provides us with critical insights into the current landscape of preschool education in America.
Basically, the take is, what happens in the first three years in child’s life becomes a critical foundation for learning and living. Therefore, mindful parenting, plays a key role. Parental involvement, responsiveness, and presence, are the key factors of any parenting approach. The content and frequency of giving a child choices during mealtime, playtime and bedtime is “ associated with higher-quality of learning and also positive behaviors. The power of play cannot be underestimated because children learn through play. As parents our choice of words matter. Do I bend down to a child’s level when I’m speaking to the child ? Do I use gentle words? do I make an eye contact? Am I fully mindful? Am I present? are good questions to ask oneself when interacting with the child.
