About Child Psychology (Part 1)

Source: Dr John Breeding, Youtube.


1. Children need : mirroring and modeling.
They need to be seen, they need to be recognised and they need to be validated. This does not they need to be constantly praised and rewarded. They simply need our attention and interest.

Children might have the capacity of practising a fluent language, yet they would not develop it without a model. More important is not what you specifically do with them in class, it is who you are as a model. Relax and trust your child. Be cool!

2. One true human nature is brilliance. "Nobody starts off stupid. We only have to watch babies and infants and think seriously about all they learn and do, to see that they show style of life and a desire and ability to learn, that in an older person, we would call a genius.. There's hardly an adult in 1 000 that in 3 years, can learn so much about understanding the world around him as every infant does in the first 3 years.: - *John Holde

3. Children have abundant energy. That's why we adults tire easily just being around them. Our job is to relearn how to play - and to take care of ourselves so we can keep up with them. You've got to let go fearing children getting hurt - because when they fall, they learn not to repeat it, how to avoid it in the future, and they learn good sportsmanship.

4. Children are intensely relational. They need to feel physically close. They like snuggling and cuddling. Punishment hurts a child away from this. They draw back... Separation/disconnection is so distressing for a child. See, to a child, 'connection' is more important than doing the right thing - than telling the truth. However, in my opinion, I quote a mentor of mine : "Before you slap a child, you must first love him." And the child ought to be confident of that.


Stay tuned for Part 2, coming up soon!


This is Laveena Kukanesan writing to you for Antara TV. I hope you had a good read! Don’t forget to give me your side of the story!

Til next time!