Final Week.

I chose a couple of different quotes about children for this final post.  The first is my Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers, from the wonderful PBS television show.  Fred Rogers is a personal hero of mine.

"When I was very young, most of my heroes wore capes, flew through the air, or picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed, so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me."

Fred Rogers
1928 - 2003

The second quote is about the importance of attachment in children.  Although I have long believed in the importance of bonding between parent and child, the reading in this class have brought me a new level of understanding of that importance.

"Any child can be made into a psychopath through failure of attachment. We know that. We have known it for a long time. We have to change a lot of established patterns or ways we do things - our priorities - so that nothing gets in the way of attachment in the earliest years. The capacities for trust, empathy, and affection are in fact the central core of what it means to be human, and are indispensable for adults to be able to form lasting, mutually satisfying co-operative relationships with others."

Dr. Elliott Barker,
Director, Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

I would like to thank all of the students in this group for your wonderful research and posts about the issues in child development.

Jordann, Thank you for your insightful questions and comments.

Kelsy, Thank you for your wonderful comments and personal reflections.