WHAT DO YOUR CHILDREN NEED FROM YOU?

Noted psychologist Abraham Maslow established  a hierarchy of needs that must be met for humans to fulfill their potential.  When the needs (as sequenced below) are met, children are better prepared for fulfilling their potential.:
  1. Basic physical functioning and survival needs (air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sleep, etc.);
  2.  Safety and security needs (security, order, law, limits, stability and shelter);
  3. Social Needs – A sense of love and belonging (family, affection, relationships and group);      
  4. Esteem needs – A sense of respect and confidence (self-esteem, achievement, mastery,       independence, status, prestige and responsibility);
  5.  Cognitive needs (knowledge, meaning, etc.);
  6. Aesthetic needs (appreciation and search for beauty, balance, form, etc.);
  7.  Self-actualization needs (realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal    growth and peak experiences);
  8. Transcendence needs (helping others to achieve self-actualization).
During my career in school psychology, the importance of Maslow’s theory became very obvious.  I can still see the sweet faces of children I was observing for learning difficulties.  Can youconcentrate if breathing is difficult or if you’re hungry, tired, need to take a bathroom break, or worrying about conflict in you home? Neither can they.
 Bondingwith a caregiver is an initial need for the young or disabled who are dependant on others for survival needs.  Perhaps that is why infant smiles and cooing are so irresistable. 

 

           


ESTABLISHING 
BALANCE IN LIFE
CAN HELP people 
FULfill their potential.  
 


but rEMEMBER THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WARNING befORE TAKE-OFF:

MAKE TIME FOR TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF!
Parents have the most influence on young children. 
IF YOU’RE NOT ABLE TO HELP YOU CHILDREN HAVE BALANCE, WHO WILL?
 
the following CHART CAN HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH PARTS OF THE SELF
 YOU WANT TO IMPROVE OR ADD BALANCE TO:
Review the above parts of the self each week for areas that you wish to improve.  
Make simple, specific goals that are worded as if you already as if they are currently instilled in your life.   See the examples below:
  • I model how I wish to be treated by speaking kindly and respectfully to my children. 
  • I provide healthy meals of protein, yummy vegetables and fruit instead of pastries or candy. 
  • I exercise by practicing yoga with a class every week 
  • I try to be positive and that helps enable me to concentrate on solutions for difficult situations.  I am much happier by staying positive as well. 
  • I teach my children to think about possible outcomes of choices before making decisions.  I coach, encourage and cheer them on, expecting their growth in making wise choices. 
  • I spend Wednesday mornings enjoying my art class.
  • My spouse and I discuss our values and create family goals based on them.  We tell our children about and help one another succeed.

It seems right to close this with a  quote from my book, 
MAGICAL YEARS TO LEARN WITH ME: 
 A gentle guide for children parents, teachers and counselors.
 LIAM UNDERSTANDS WHAT HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT FROM PARENTS!
 
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY WEBSITE.
 
CAROLYN FERRELL WATTS