Child Development - sensitive periods

[scoobysoo]

Hi. I'm doing an assignment for my teaching course regarding "sensitive periods". It's going well, and I've done lots or research and reading. However, I'm after a special little addition or nugget of information e.g. a fantastic quote or contraversial view regarding this subject, to give my assignment an edge. I'm focusing on different stages of development, especially the embryonic state, and developments and behaviour that characterise the sensitive periods. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Muchly.

[calleach]

ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny

insanity is heriditary you get it from your children

no civilisation least of all ours has accumulated sufficient enlightening or illuminating knowledge in the heads of its teachers to justify locking up its children for 7 hours a day  for  12 years of their lives.

just another brick in the wall

try ivan ilych for more quotes and ideas

[Scarlett]

Try postin in Parenting- bound to get more help!!

Have you covered the beginning of puberty? I am a teacher, and 11 is a very strange age for girls, I have noticed. One minute they are funny and silly and easy going and delightful, and the next-- you have list them. They are a touch distant, they don't smile or make eye contact as often, and they treat you with suspicion, despite the fact that you have not changed one bit. It is quite distressing too, as all the effort in the world from you makes no difference to them.Then one day, the cloud lifts and they start talking to you again. I know it is only hormones, but it is a very sensitive period, and one which is not always that obvious to spot.

[tetherend]

Try reading Exploring Developmental Psychology and another one called Developmental Psychology by David Shaffer.  Lots of information in these books.

[tracymort]

Brain develops at it's fastest and most crucial rate at this time. Suggested reading would be Primal Health by Michael Odent http://www.birthworks.org/bwodent.html, and I love Why Love Matters. How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain by Sue Gerhardt.
It's just amazing how the way we treat babies affects the rest of their entire lives. I became interested in infant mental health because i'm appalled by the negative, detached parenting advice given out these days (for example anything by Gina Ford).
When all the research and experts know this is damaging to a child's mental health in the long run it's amazing these books are even bought let alone followed. Really, really upsets me babies are treated like this. For example the dangerous practise of scheduled feeding not only puts the baby at risk of dehydration (and they do end up in hospital) and possibility of being bottlefed but in the long term it's linked to anorexia. Parents really need a bit more foresight!
There's also the practise of "controlled crying" sadly leading to learned helplessness and depression.

http://childrensproject.co.uk/
http://www.aimh.org.uk/
http://www.aaimhi.org/polsSubs.htm
Hopefully that'll get you started.