REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER
Dee’s Message
18 November 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers, One of the most important learning experiences of a young child’s life is to start seeing that he or she is not the centre of the universe around whom all things revolve. From the moment they are born, our babies are doted over and inundated with attention and love. So it is only natural that their primary perspective is that they command a significant place in the scheme of things around the household – not that they would be aware of such complex matters at their age, of course! However, as they grow older, so they begin to realise that they inhabit an environment in which others also need and receive attention. Whether with siblings in the same home, or when they have friends coming over to play, or when they attend school for the first time, they are confronted with the expectation that they will share with others. They have to share toys and other special items, and they have to share the time of the significant adults in their lives with others.
In many cases, this leads to what we might term attention-seeking from young children. Inevitably, attention seeking is regarded negatively. However, a recent article points out that attention seeking should actually be seen as an important aspect of personal development during childhood. One researcher points out that it is “how we find and involve ourselves with what interests us, what encourages and what inhibits us in following our curiosity.” The article goes on to suggest that “Children and young people blossom when they start to discern their desires and fascinations. Conversely, those who do not manage to achieve this can feel at a loss, bored, or even disenfranchised by their schooling. Young children seek attention from others to find out what they want to give their attention to. A child seeking attention does not yet know what they are seeking attention for. They discover that in the company of another, like an interested adult.”
REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL | WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER
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