4 Things That All Children Need
In today’s day and age there are SO many different articles out there telling us what we should and shouldn’t do for our children, what is right and wrong, what is and isn’t worth it, etc. Everyone has their opinions about what is best for their children…and other people’s children for that matter. No television, limited screen time, do vaccinate, never vaccinate, no pacifier, yes pacifier, co sleep, never co sleep, etc.
So what really does matter in the lives of children? According to Jeanine Fitzgerald, Human Behavior Specialist, it’s really quite simple.
1. Profiles Matter!
Honoring children for all that they are and who they can become. All children are perfectly designed, each with a unique temperament,
nurturance style, learning style, passions, talents and opportunities for growth. When this is honored, each child thrives. Children must be understood, and celebrated in a way that honors their essence and reveals their greatness. As parents and professionals we must recognize each child’s individuality. No two children are the same. They must be taught differently, motivated differently, and disciplined differently. This individualization is what matters!
2. Relationships Matter!
Children learn to trust the world and the people in it at a very young age through trusting relationships built on mutual respect. As parents and professionals, the responsibility for making the necessary adjustments to foster strong, caring relationships falls in the adults hands. Children’s hearts sing when they are visible, valued and supported.
3. Environments Matter!
Play is children’s work and the highest form of research. Both indoors and out, environments should encourage play, provide sensory rich experiences, encourage movement, and create a warm welcoming atmosphere in which every child can feel comfortable and find challenges to meet their needs. Being outdoors has profound effects on a child’s ability to regulate and leads to valuable outcomes.
4. Skills Matter!
Beginning in infancy children begin to learn the skills of self regulation. We continue to learn this complex set of functions throughout our lives. We must learn to regulate our emotions, moods, thoughts, attention, activity level and more. Children may display behaviors because they simply don’t have the skill set or regulation to do anything different. We must be sure that we are constantly teaching children skills that they are lacking, instead of punishing them for the outward behavior due to the
lack of skill. Skills are best acquired when they have real life application. It is important to make sure our teaching is engaging and relevant.
5. Discipline Matters!
When children do not know how to read, we teach and give them opportunities to practice new skills. When they struggle with math calculations, we teach until mastery emerges. When children misbehave, we send them to the principal’s office, detention or home for a few days, withhold recess or field trips, give time out or publicly reprimand. While there are many behaviors that challenge us and leave us feeling puzzled, helpless or angry, we must embrace the idea that there are no hopeless children. Their behavior is the symptom of an unsolved problem begging for resolution. So much like having difficulties with reading and math, when a child misbehaves, we must become his or her ally and move beyond tradition toward a comprehensive, positive approach to resolving their
problem.
During her 40 years in the field of education and mental health, consulting to schools across the country, Jeanine Fitzgerald created a model ofeducation called Education with Insight, which embraces these 5 principles. Education with Insight is a strength based model, focused on child honoring. Although less known than many other alternative education models such as Montessori, Reggio or Waldorf, Education with Insight has many unique and valuable theories that have proven best for child growth and development over the past 40 years.
Education with Insight recognizes each child’s unique abilities, passions and talents. It helps children to discover their best self, teaches them how to learn through their learning style, and how to be successful in an ever changing world. Education with Insight creates an environment that appreciates and understands the power of the sensory system, offering movement, nature and comfort to it’s children. Education with Insight takes advantage of collective wisdom by fostering a home school partnership where learning coaches, parents and children work collaboratively to educate. Education with Insight, understands that children must learn to do
more than pass a test. Learning is life long, and must have connection to emotion, and real life settings.
Jeanine K. Fitzgerald owns The Fitzgerald Institute, an independent learning community located in Northborough, Massachusetts, the pilot educational community for this model of education. The Fitzgerald Institute embraces these five principles…the things that truly matter in the lives of children.
So you see, it’s really quite simple…children must feel honored and respected for their individuality. They must feel a sense of connection and love. They must play, move, and engage with nature. They must learn how to do and apply. They must be coached toward discovery of their best self, pulling out all their greatness that is planted in them from the point of conception. All children are perfectly designed and it is our job as parents and educators to uncover that seed of greatness!
