What's up with different normals?

In early care we have so many different articles, resources, blogs, and other internet sources telling us what is normal and healthy for children of different ages and stages. In fact I read two articles this morning about toddler behavior from mommy bloggers that told me the exact same behaviors were healthy and not healthy, good for my toddler's development and detrimental to my toddler's development. The trouble really comes when unsubstantiated sources, that are not research based are then endorsed by education bloggers that early care providers trust.

Here is what I know about child development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control, the National Association of the Education of Young Children, the Fred Rodgers Institute and several neurological studies, children develop in a predictable pattern and generally at the same rate, the AAP and CDC have wonderful simple checklists of development if you'd like one, the best thing we can do for young children in our classrooms is check their development against these typical checklist and find where they are in their own personal pattern. And meet them where they are.

Let me say that again, we need to MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE. Children develop at different rates and while there are typical behaviors, expectations, and abilities at each stage, we must not get caught up in those or lost in articles that laugh or poke fun at squashed oatmeal in a toddler's hair as part of learning.

Teacher friends, you might now be asking, but what are typical behaviors for my age group and why in the world do I have six kids that behave one one and this one kid whose behaviors are completely atypical and how do I work with that?

Over the next week or so I'll be working through ages and stages and their frustrating behaviors, beginning with young toddlers. Using theory, research and personal experience, and yes a bit of humor. I'll be including links to references when I can or the author and book title when I can't.

I hope I can can give you some insight into why toddlers spin in the center of the room until they fall over then get up and do it again, why two year olds cry about everything , why threes ask why nine hundred and fifty-seven times a day, why fours lie, and why fives start picking on each other.

In the meantime, have a great Monday! As always if you have any questions please ask away.

Happy Teaching,

​~Sarah

PS. That's my own sweet toddler 17 years ago! She always had something on her head, I never did figure that one out.