The importance of being attuned to your child’s needs when they are infants and toddlers continues in the form of your being tuned in to what is happening to them in their childhood and teen years. How they are getting along academically and socially is extremely important. Having open and age appropriate discussions are extremely important beginning before elementary school.
Discussing their world, issues that concern them, and listening to their views will help prepare them for the social land mines that begin as early as they begin school. Mirroring their feelings back to them will teach them empathy. Bullying begins even before school begins. They may be learning it at home. Teaching empathy will help create the moral fiber to help them deal with the many issues that they will encounter.
Gail Gornick, M.A.MFT
