emphasizes Nurturing Emotional Success Together by working with caregivers and children to create a positive nurturing environment that supports a child to achieve his or her best self - it’s that simple. I delight in watching children when they experience a sense of pride. Often this stems from having success with something the child was unsure he or she would be able to accomplish. This is the angle I use when viewing successful emotional development, and from where I base my work. Many developmental milestones are encouraged by positive experiences, when a child begins to talk or takes first steps. Most frustrations arise when a child attempts to further solidify a sense of self in an environment of rules and expectations. Often children begin to engage in a battle of wills with their caregivers as they demonstrate defiant behaviors, jealousy, tantrums, apprehension and limit testing. Caregivers are told, “Don’t stress, this is just a normal part of your child’s development.” That might be the case, but just because something is “normal” doesn’t mean it’s not going to cause stress! I find joy in demystifying these so called “normal” behaviors and alleviating much of the stress placed both on caregivers and the child. I believe it is possible for a child to exhibit rule following behavior while simultaneously developing a sense of self and responsibility.
