Early Childhood Wins

Support kids' expression of emotion. Preschoolers need to know that emotions are okay. If you see a child get angry or sad, allow the child to express it. (Of course, if the emotion leads to harming someone else, such as hitting or shoving, put a halt to it.) Avoid saying things such as, "It's no big deal," "Boys don't cry," or "Calm down." Experts believe that invalidating emotions or encouraging suppression of emotions may lead children to conceal the outward expression of emotion. At the same time, the internal reaction to the emotion worsens, which may lead to anxiety. When adults squelch a child's emotional response, it can negatively impact their overall coping skills.

Talk about emotions. Explore the situations that elicit emotions and the consequences of emotions when opportunities arise. For example, if Lisa takes Dawn's scissors during craft time and Dawn yells, you can discuss the emotions involved. "Dawn, did you yell because you were angry? What made you angry? Lisa, when you take others' things without asking first, you'll probably make them upset. Wouldn't that make you angry?" Give kids the words to identify how they feel.

Encourage kids to think about others' emotions, beliefs, and desires. Understanding that others' internal states can differ from theirs helps kids respond to others appropriately. You can encourage thinking about others' internal states while exploring the Bible. For example, "If you were in the belly of a big whale fish like Jonah, how would you feel? What would you be thinking about?"

Demonstrate consistency. Consistency in children's lives is important. If possible, arrange schedules so the same caregiver or teacher sees the same children each week. Quality, stable relationships help kids learn that others can be dependable, and they give volunteers the opportunity to really get to know the children in your ministry. Additionally, interacting with the same teacher means the child is exposed to the same rules and expectations each week. Kids in your ministry may be going through chaotic and confusing times at home, for instance during parental divorce or times of financial stress. You can make your ministry a dependable and safe haven for kids.

Natalie Eggum holds a doctorate in developmental psychology. She serves on short-term missions to Africa with Hope 4 Kids International, and recently conducted a study of Ugandan children's resiliency.


START EARLY

Neuroscientists have recently found that the brain continues to develop through adolescence, but brain development actually begins in the womb. In fact, results from several studies support the notion that prenatal learning can occur. In a famous study conducted by Anthony DeCasper at the University of South Carolina, researchers asked pregnant women to read aloud a passage from a Dr. Seuss book twice each day for the last six weeks of their pregnancy. After they were born, the babies who experienced repeated exposure to the Dr. Seuss story showed a preference for listening to the familiar passage as opposed to a new passage. This study supported that repeated exposure to the sound pattern while in the womb was recognizable during infancy. That's pretty remarkable!

If you want to create a positive environment for your little ones so they can flourish emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually, start early.

Destress, Not Distress -- New technology and experts' growing interest in the prenatal period has led to an abundance of knowledge about life in utero. For example, results from several studies throughout recent years have found that mothers who have chronic stress and anxiety during pregnancy are more likely to have kids who are fearful and even have lower density of gray matter in the brain later in childhood than children of mothers who didn't experience chronic stress and anxiety.

Consider offering a series of educational classes for expecting moms in your congregation and community. Give kids a better start in life by teaching moms about proper nutrition, avoiding teratogens (certain drugs, environmental agents, and disease), stress management, neonatal care, and skills for parenting during early childhood. If your staff isn't qualified to teach the classes, think about recruiting guest speakers from a university or medical center.

Follow-Up That Follows -- Your ministry can support healthy development throughout children's lives by hosting periodic follow-up, faith-based education for different stages of life. Classes might include topics (based on a Christian perspective) such as: finding quality day care for your toddler, parenting preschoolers, raising socially competent school-age children, talking to your preteens about sexuality, and setting healthy boundaries for your teenager.

You may have limited time with the children in your ministry, but giving parents additional tools allows your ministry to positively influence kids' development and competence every day of the week.

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