CHILDHOOD – The Wonder Years of Life

Childhood is a short season but the most important. Before we realize, the children around us soon grow big and what they learn or don’t learn determines their adulthood. Most of us think children cannot understand the world like adults, true! Their level of knowledge and intelligence may not be as high as adults and they may be just beginning to understand reason and logic. But, they have their own ways of exploring and understanding the world around them. They simply think differently.The famous Psychologist Jean Piaget calls them as a “little scientists”.

From Eric Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, we come to know that, children from the age of 3-5 years are in a very important stage of their development. During this phase they try to explore the world through direct play and social interactions. Parents and teachers play a vital role in child’s life during this age as they see us as models from whom they observe and learn. Since they learn more through exploring and experimenting, children who are given this opportunity to explore the world will be confident, successful and capable in life, and will be able to maximize their potential. On the other hand, children who are restricted and controlled in their opportunities to learn, will grow up with a sense of doubt in themselves, guilt and low self esteem. This keeps them from taking initiative and curbs them from becoming the person they can be. 

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” 
-Kay Redfield Jamison”

By: Sowmya Goli