30/09/2022
I love this diagram from but if I was to change one thing, I’d allocate 3/4 of the pie chart on the right to development and the remainder to everything else.
Children don’t have the extensive lived experience that we do, and their brains are still developing. This means that theres an awful lot they don’t know.
They don’t have the ability to perspective take or predict the consequences of their actions. They are unaware of social norms and have poor impulse control.
This means they often act in ways that we find odd, challenging, unexpected and, yes, sometimes even hurtful or dangerous.
In short, the interpersonal space is especially messy when it comes to kids and that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Our job is to not take it personally and don’t assign intent when there is none. Let them make mistakes (even the hurtful ones), always correct with kindness, and let them start each moment afresh
