by Corinna Craddock

Created on: June 06, 2009

Being the mother of four, I have had a lot of experience with preparing my children to learn. Because my third son is still in diapers, being my child's first teacher is still a responsibility I take very seriously. However, teaching my toddler is not my job; but rather, teaching is how I describe my style of parenting.

As parents, we do not have to change our lives around according to some wild idea that we must teach our children everything there is to know in life. However, by implementing a way of parenting that supports a child's neurological architecture, parents can give children the mental tools for social and academic happiness.

Social and academic happiness comes from success. Humans are hungry for it. Even babies want success. The more the better. A baby experiences success in his mother's reaction to his first smiles. The first time a baby holds her father's finger tightly, as if to emphasize the meaningful way she's looking into his eyes; even this becomes success for the baby who is rewarded with a higher level of cuddling and parental joy.

Success comes to mean control for toddlers who master the skills they need to manipulate their environment. The baby girl who says, "yes," before she can talk, by brightening her eyes and quickly flapping her hands like wings, is able to thrill her parents. She flaps her arms with wide eyes to communicate that she wants something, and she succeeds in helping to control her own chances of getting what she desires.

So what is it about my parenting style that produces children who absolutely love school, and who are regularly recognized at their school's award ceremonies? Are there things that I know, that some parents do not know? Should parents feel guilty if their child does not know what little Johnny and Suzy know? Do all parents really need to teach their children to recognize colors, numbers, and letters when they are toddlers?

Are there things that I know, that some parents do not know?

If people have told you that the way to teach toddlers is by talking about everything you do with them, this is good advice to follow. Parents should begin talking to babies the day they are born and they should not stop. The only difference between my child and some other's in her class may be the amount of talking, that I have done in raising her. Depressed mothers too sad to talk to children may need support for the toddler whose actual brain development depends on being exposed to new information.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>