LAre ife & Relationships All About Balance by Jody Johnston Pawel, LSW, CFLE Just as the seasons cycle in ways that bring the Earth into balance, so do the seasons of Life. From birth to adulthood, we evolve as physical, emotional and spiritual beings, going through cycles of renewal and regeneration. Children’s brain wave frequency is like that of an adult in a hypnotic state, between alpha and delta. This is why children are like little sponges, soaking up all they see, hear, feel and experience. Their prefrontal cortex doesn’t start developing until about ages six to nine (the “age of reason”), so their experiences are directly download into their subconscious minds without any filters or rationalizing. This is why children need good role models and adults who will nurture and guide them. Love is not all they need, and they won’t just figure out life all on their own!
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The first year of life their survival brain is developing, so bonding and attachment is key. It’s the foundation of all further development. Then, during the toddler years, their emotional (limbic) brain is developing, which is why we see tantrums and “kid logic” that can’t be easily reasoned with. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational, critical thinking and responsible decisionmaking isn’t finished developing until age 25! So during the school years, adults play an important role in teaching, guiding and modeling for children. That’s how they learn. Parenting research tells us there are five parenting styles. Two are overly controlling: the most extreme being harsh and punishing. The less extreme seems to
Spring Splendor 2022
