Family Wellness Tip

Developing a Personality

Let's be honest. Last week had so much information about different brain stages. It is probably hard to keep it all straight. I don't expect you to. We will look at each of the theories in more detail. We will look at different strategies for each stage. We will be reminded of how we were and what could be better ways to work with our kids. Too positive? Maybe, and we'll see how we do anyway. Let's help our kids' build a solid personality.

Age: 0-3
- Important events that shape lives:
  1. Basic needs (food, comfort when crying, shelter)
  2. Toilet training
- Goals:
  1. Feel hope & trust with outside world.
  2. Feel independent & in control of self.
  3. Learn to feel success & accomplishment.
- How I support & make better:
  1. Proper nutrition supports brain and body growth and function.
  2. Good sleep is a key factor in mental and physical health.
  3. Staying calm when your child is unable to quickly calm down.
  4. Positive encouragement when making mistakes and praise when successful.
Age: 3-5
- Important events that shape lives:
  1. Explore people & world
- Goals:
  1. Feel a sense of purpose.
  2. Willing to work for things.
- How I support & make better:
  1. Proper nutrition supports brain and body growth and function.
  2. Good sleep is a key factor in mental and physical health.
  3. Structure, consistency, & support.
  4. Teach effective coping skills for big feelings.
  5. Allow for "Do it myself" failures and successes.
Age: 5-13
- Important events that shape lives:
  1. School
  2. Learning new things
- Goals:
  1. Feel a sense of pride.
  2. Feel confident in ability to do things.
- How I support & make better:
  1. Proper nutrition supports brain and body growth and function.
  2. Good sleep is a key factor in mental and physical health.
  3. Structure, consistency, & support.
  4. Teach effective coping skills for big feelings.
  5. Teach strong communication skills.
  6. Make your child feel apart of the family and important.
  7. Playing games and doing puzzles are great ways to learn:
    - How to be frustrated and work through it.
    - How to lose.
    - How to win.
Age: 13-21
- Important events that shape lives:
  1. Social relationships & connections
- Goals:
  1. Feel a sense of self.
  2. Develop a personal identity.
  3. Learn to stay true to self.
- How I support & make better:
  1. Proper nutrition supports brain and body growth and function.
  2. Good sleep is a key factor in mental and physical health.
  3. Structure, consistency, & support.
  4. Teach effective coping skills for big feelings.
  5. Teach strong communication skills.
  6. Teach and encourage critical thinking skills, even if the ideas are different from your own.
  7. Make your child feel apart of the family and important.
  8. Playing games and doing puzzles are great ways to learn:
    - How to be frustrated and work through it.
    - Parents are fun.