Disabilities in Children

Disabilities can have a major impact on a child's development. Unfortunately, there are a number of disabilities that affect millions of children all over the world. This is not only difficult on the child because not only do they suffer from their disability, but they're also forced to live in a society where disabilities are still being accepted, but it is also difficult for the parent. One of the hardest things to accept is that your child has a disability, especially one that causes them to suffer. There are different types of disabilities, both physical and mental, that affect people in all sorts of different ways. A few disabilities that can affect children's development are: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Deafness/Hearing Loss. If you have a child with a disability it is best to inform yourself about it as much as possible so that you can help your child develop to the best of their ability. 

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can range in intensity. The more severe forms of this disorder are called "Autistic disorder" while the more milder form is called "Asperger syndrome". People with Autism struggle with communication and social relationships and tend to engage in stereotypical, repetitive and restricted behavior. Those with Asperger syndrome typically have better social skills and are better with social relationships, but still engage in obsessive and repetitive behavior (Santrock, 2014). Children with ASD do better in a more controlled environment with structure, smaller groups and personal instruction from the teacher. The number of children being diagnosed with ASD is increasing at an alarming rate. Researchers are still struggling to figure out what is the cause of this increase.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a form of a learning disability where children have difficulty paying attention and staying focused, hyperactivity, and little self control. ADHD has three different subtypes:

1. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
2. Predominantly inattentive
3. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (National Institute of Mental Health, (n.d.).

This disorder makes it more challenging for children to learn new information. There are treatments that may help reduce the symptoms such as medications or various forms of psychotherapy, however, there is no cure. However, the treatments available can help children with ADHD live more normal and successful lives. 

Deafness/Hearing Loss is a physical disability and makes it harder for children to learn because they cannot hear so they must find other ways to communicate with others. Hearing and speech are essential tools in a child's learning, the way they play as well as their social skills. Children with hearing loss miss a lot of the speech and language that surrounds them which could potentially result in delayed speech/language development, social skills and academic difficulties (Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 2015). There are options for children with hearing loss, depending on their unique situations. Surgery is sometimes an option as well as the option of hearing aids as well. Children with no options of repair learn to communicate in other ways, such as lip reading or sign language. 

These are just a few of the many disabilities that millions of children suffer from. If any parent suspects that anything might be wrong with their child, they need to go with their gut feeling and get them looked at by a doctor ASAP. The doctor will perform the necessary tests and diagnose the child based on the results. Each disability affects children in all sorts of different ways and as parents, we have to be their strength and show them what they're still capable of. Encouraging them and praising them for their new accomplishments will help them build self esteem which will take them a lot further in life than they could ever imagine. Parenting a child with a disability is very difficult and challenging but also very rewarding at the same time. 

Sources: 

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d). What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD?). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

Palo Alto Medical Foundation. (2015). Hearing Loss in Children. Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/hearinghealth/facts/children.html

Which Parenting Method Works Best For You?

As parents, we never feel like we're doing enough good things for our children. No matter how good we think we're doing, we will always feel like there's something we need to improve on. Parenting a child is one of the most difficult responsibilities in the world. Even with all the books, magazines and videos out there to help guide parents, nothing can prepare someone for what is to come with parenthood because the truth is, every child is different. What works for some parents and their children might not be what is best for all families which is why it's so important for parents to inform themselves about the different types of parenting methods that exist. The parenting method that you choose can have a serious impact on your child's development.

The number one goal for parents is to raise happy and healthy children. We all want nothing more than to raise our children to be happy, loving, independently successful human beings but the road to get there is never easy. Parenting takes a lot of time, effort and patience. There's 4 recognized parenting styles: Authoritarian parenting, Neglectful parenting, Permissive (Indulgent) parenting and Authoritative parenting. Let's review them to
see which one fits you best!

Authoritarian parenting is considered the strict type of parenting, where a lot is demanded and expected from the parents but not a lot is recognized. This type of parenting usually i
nvolves little socialization between the child and the parent and punishment is typically seen as the way to teach a lesson. Children who have authoritarian parents are often socially awkward, fearful, insecure, and are more likely to associate obedience with love (Mgbemere & Telles, 2013). In most cases parents do not choose this method to intentionally emotionally neglect their children, but because they believe that a stricter form of parenting is what will benefit their child the most. Although intentions might be good, and structure and authority are important things to include in parenting, this method does not provide a good balance between communication and structure. Children need both in order to develop as successfully as possible.

Neglectful parenting is when parents have little to no involvement in their child's life. This type of parenting is known as the most damaging to children because children of neglectful parents have no trust foundation built from their parents. As a result, children will have a much harder time connecting with people and forming relationships. They're also more likely to be dependent on others and have little self control. Parents who fall into this description are encouraged to seek help from a family doctor, counselor or therapist in order to get back on track for a happy and healthy life for the sake of the child.

Permissive (Indulgent) parenting is considered another hardful form of parenting because it involves little to no structure for the child. Parents are typically very inconsistant with rules and discipline. Instead they are very lieniant and avoid confrontation. Some believe that this form of parenting is best because by expecting little from their children, they will blossom into creative, open minded and confident people. However, children with permissive parents usually have a lack of respect, no self control, do poorly academically and are self centered (Mgbemere & Telles, 2013). Children naturally want some form of structure and when parents do not provide that it can have serious consequences on their development. Parents who are afraid to confront their children about problems are encouraged to seek counseling in order to help build the strength they need to provide that structure for their children.


Authoritative parenting is the viewed as the most effective parenting method because it creates a great balance between structure and communication. Authoritative parenting involves being supportive, nurturing and warm while expecting independent and age appropriate behavior. Children grow up in a healthy environment and are more likely to cope well with stress and self control, be independent, and have many good relationships with friends (Santrock, 2014).


As stated above, most parents never intend to harm their children in any way. Sometimes we might not be aware of potential flaws in our parenting. That's why it's good to be open and honest with yourself about your parenting choices. Doing so allows you to reflect so that you can learn from any mistakes that you feel you have made. It is very important to provide both structure and affection into your parenting. Children should know that even though everything else in their world may be going wrong, they know their parents love them and care for them. It helps build their confidence and helps them deal with stress knowing that they always have someone to count on. With that, structure is something that needs to be balanced with that because when children know that you love them, knowing that you push them so that they can be the best that they can be will help them feel supported and motivated.

We are all faced with our own set of challenges to face and each parent handles them differently. It's important that you don't forget to give yourself credit for the good things that you do and take things as they come, one day at a time. As hard we try, we will never be the perfect parent because the perfect parent does not exist.

Sources: 

Mgbemere, B., & Telles, R. (2013). Types of Parenting Styles and How to Identify Yours. Retrieved from https://my.vanderbilt.edu/developmentalpsychologyblog/2013/12/types-of-parenting-styles-and-how-to-identify-yours/

Santrock, J. W. (2014). Essentials of Life-Span Development (3rd. ed). New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill.

Social & Emotional Development in Early Childhood

As discussed previously, children develop in all sorts of ways in the Early Childhood Development stage. We've already discussed how children develop physically and cognitively, but what about socially or emotionally? In these two areas, children make significant developments that help prepare them for their future.  

Emotionally, children are beginning to develop a better understanding of themselves which, as a result, gives them a wider range of emotions to feel and understand. Two emotions that children commonly express in this stage of development is pride and guilt. These are two emotions that are driven from parents reactions to their child's behavior. A reprimanded child will quickly begin to understand how to express guilt. Children who are praised for their behavior will quickly understand how to express pride. It's important to reinforce good behavior in children more often than bad behavior because reinforcing good behavior helps build their self esteem.

Children in this stage of development learn how to regulate their emotions which is a very important skill because it affects the way they will socialize with others in the future. Being able to regulate their emotions helps children not only get along with other better but is also helps them show empathy to others, express their feelings and share generously with others (Cherry, 2015).

Moral development is also something that is improved in this stage. Children begin to develop thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about rules and conventions based on what other people should do in their interactions with other people (Santrock, 2014).

Socially, children begin to expand the number of interactions that they have with other children. In this stage, children begin socializing more with other children. Not only does socialization allow children to work on their physical and cognitive development through play, they also learn how to communicate with others and understand emotions better. The way children socialize with others can give us a better idea of how their mental health status (Australian Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative, 2008). Children who socialize aggressively, or show aggression frequently, are more likely to develop problems with authority, drop out of school and suffer from depression.

What can we do as parents to help our children develop the best that they can in these areas? We can encourage play. Playtime with parents is always great, but children should spend a good amount of time interacting with other children their age as well. In this stage of development, children are more likely to socialize with the same-sex rather than with opposite-sex playmates (Santrock, 2014). Play helps them both socially because they can practice their social skills but it also helps them with regulating emotions because play gives them the opportunity to confront issues and with time they can learn how to manage their emotions and solve those issues in productive manner.

Sources:

Australian Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative. (2008). Social Development and Behaviour. 
Retrieved from https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/resources-support-childrens-mental-health/social-development

Cherry, K. (2015). Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/early-child-development/a/Social-And-Emotional-Development-In-Early-Childhood.htm

What is Early Childhood Development?

If there's anything that all parents can agree on, it's that children develop in different stages. One of the most intricate and delicate stages of development is the Early Childhood stage which lasts from 3 years to about 5 or 6 years old. It is known as the preschool stage and is the stage where children make big advancements physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. They begin understanding the world and how it works as well as exploring their own abilities and independence. 

Look at me grow!

Physically, children in this stage begin to grow at a slower rate than they did in infancy. Although their growth will be the most obvious physical change, there are actually many physical changes happening to children in this stage. During Early Childhood Development, children will grow approximately 2 1/2 inches and gain about 5-7 pounds each year and although they cannot be seen, there are significant changes that are taking place in the brain and nervous system that help prepare children for advances in cognition and language (Santrock, 2014).  They also continue to develop both their gross (large) motor skills and their fine (small) motor skills. Exercise and a healthy diet are
all crucial to a child's development, especially their physical development. Keeping them active and feeding them healthy foods help promote healthy skeleton growth, body shape and helps fight illnesses and prevents disease. 

Cognitively, children explore their creativity and begin using their imaginations. They also begin to understand the world and how it works as well as expand their use of language to communicate and help them solve tasks. According to Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory, children in this stage are in the preoperational stage in which they begin to represent the world with images, words and drawings. They also begin to reason and form concepts. However, children in this stage still tend to believe in magical creatures, such as the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy and are unable to preform functions. Preoperational thought is the beginning of their ability to reconstruct in thought what they have already been able to do physically and is divided into two sub stages:

The Symbolic Function Substage: The first substage that occurs during the ages of 2-4. In this stage children are able to represent objects that are not present which helps expand how they mentally view the world. Although they are developing, their thinking process is still limited. They are egocentric, meaning they are not able to distinguish someone else's perspective from their own. They also participate in animism, which is the belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities (Santrock, 2014).

The Intuitive Thought Substage: The second substage which occurs between the ages of 4-7. It is in this stage that children use reasoning and become very curious about many things. Parents sometimes refer to this stage as the "Why?" stage because of the amount of questions that children ask them because they're curious about how things work. "Piaget called this stage intuitive because young children seem so sure about their knowledge and understanding, yet are unaware of how they know what they know (Santrock, 2014). 

As parents, it's important for us to understand the impact that we have on our children's development and in this stage, our involvement is crucial. We can encourage healthy development by keeping them active and encouraging play. Chase them and have them chase you. Take them swimming or let them run around at a park. These activities are not only fun for them but will be fun for you as well since you're both creating awesome memories together. 

Feeding them healthy meals will help give them that energy they need for all that running around that they do everyday. It also helps fuel their brains so they can continue opening up their minds to the world around them. Encouraging imaginative play also helps encourage creativity and logical thinking. Even if the situations they create are not real, imaginative play gives them opportunities for them to solve problems using reasoning and logic.  Play time is never just play time for children, it's also time for them to learn more about themselves and how the world works. 

Be active with them. Get involved. Be silly. It will benefit your child in many ways!

Source:

Santrock, J. W. (2014) Essentials of Life-Span Development. (3rd. ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.