There is more to child development than what ordinary parents know.
According to some psychologists, every maturation stage; and an entry to the next one, presents a crisis within a child.
Maturation is a state when one has come to know something very well. Immaturity is a time before that. Like all of us, when we’ve come to know something; we outgrow it; we want something different. That something different is unknown.
The unknown is scary for everyone, more so for children. Adults have confronted the unknown many times in their lives and development. Children however, are excited about new discoveries, and about growing up. Yet once something has
been mastered, there’s a drive to desire the next mastery. All this is in the subconscious mind.
What is more conscious is the void; the unknown; the uncertainty.
We need to remember that development is rapid in children, while it has slowed down in adults. Therefore, these uncertainties create subtle inner crisis in children.
As parents we know more about these feelings. We also know our children more than anyone else.
Our job is just to pay attention, listen compassionately and guide.
By Thozi Theko-Oum
