When Kids Don't Seem Motivated (to Potty, Crawl, or Create)
Oct 29, 2024
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What do you do when your child isn't engaging in key developmental milestones? Discover how to navigate concerns about a toddler's reluctance to crawl or a preschooler's aversion to drawing. Learn tips to support creativity and independence without imposing pressure. Delve into strategies for tackling potty training resistance while fostering trust in your child's journey. Gain insights on creating an environment that encourages authentic self-expression and nurtures natural abilities. It's all about understanding and supporting each child's unique rhythm!
32:52
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Quick takeaways
Recognizing a child's readiness and allowing them to explore skills at their own pace fosters confidence and autonomy in development.
Parental approaches to creative activities, like drawing, can unintentionally stifle children's self-expression and motivation, necessitating a supportive environment for exploration.
Deep dives
The Role of Motivation in Child Development
Motivation is a critical theme in understanding children's developmental progress, as seen in various parental concerns. Parents often worry that their children may lack motivation to reach specific milestones, such as crawling or using the potty, rather than struggling with physical capabilities. The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing a child's natural abilities and inner direction and acknowledges that these developmental steps often come with time and patience. By allowing children to practice their skills freely, parents can foster a supportive environment that encourages autonomy and confidence.
Trusting in Natural Developmental Processes
Creating an environment that supports natural development is vital for children's success in reaching milestones. For instance, placing a child in seating arrangements before they are physically ready can stunt their gross motor development by limiting their ability to explore movement. The podcast discusses how giving children ample opportunities to move freely in a supine position promotes their gross motor skills organically, which prevents them from becoming stuck in developmental stages. Parents are encouraged to trust that children will progress when given the right environments and support without forced interventions.
Encouraging Self-Expression Through Art
The impact of parental involvement in children's creative expression can significantly affect their desire to engage in activities like drawing. When a child begins to rely on a parent to create art for them, as demonstrated by a parent's experience, it can lead to frustration and discourage them from expressing their creativity independently. The podcast advises parents to step back and allow their children space for their emotions and self-exploration, fostering an atmosphere where self-expression can thrive again. Allowing children to navigate their feelings about creativity will help them reclaim their interest in drawing over time.
Navigating Potty Training with Sensitivity
Potty training can be particularly challenging for sensitive and strong-willed children who exhibit avoidance behaviors. Though parents often want to encourage independence, they must balance this with a child's emotional needs and fears surrounding the process. The podcast discusses the importance of allowing children to navigate their toilet training journey at their own pace, reinforcing trust in their abilities rather than imposing pressure. By establishing clear boundaries and a supportive atmosphere, parents can help children feel safe while also encouraging them to confront their feelings about new experiences.
What do we do if we know our kids can practice a new skill,and yet they don't or won't? Three families reach out to Janet with concerns about their children's developmental progress. In one case, a 12-month-old doesn't seem interested in crawling, and the parent has been advised to try to make this happen. A second parent expresses her dismay ("I don't know how to undo what I've done!") that her 3-year-old will no longer draw. The child's refusal began when the parent innocently followed her child's request to draw pictures for her. A third parent says that her 3.5-year-old has been ready to use the potty since she was 2 but is "absolutely set on being in diapers forever." Just as with the other two parents, this mom is trying to trust her daughter's process, but her doubts keep seeping in, and she wonders if there's some action she should be taking.
Learn more about Janet's "No Bad Kids Master Course" at: NoBadKidsCourse.com.
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