Parenting
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport
Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 10-08-00
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 2000
"Mom offers simple hints for success in parenting"
Recently a young woman with Down syndrome graduated from high school and then wrestled and elbowed her way
into junior college to complete the requirements of a two-year course of study in child care. She is now giving back
to her own school district as a paraprofessional in an early childhood program.
Her mother shared some philosophies of working with her successful daughter, Cynthia, from the time she was
born. Paraphrased, her thoughts are:
- Take one day at a time
- Take full advantage of the learning "window of opportunity" those first few years of your child's life
- 'Feed' your child language from birth - describe every action, name everything
- Treat your child as any other member of the family
- Read, read, read to your child
- Expect the most of your child and then adjust your expectations as necessary
- In learning, seize the moment. Don't wait until later or until he's ready
- Provide a variety of enrichment experiences in language, the arts and social situations
- Use multi-sensory approach to learning --- the more approaches to the brain the better
- In planning his education, put your child first - considering his specific needs, abilities, desires and responses
Work with the teacher as a team member rather dm an adversary, developing a specific plan for your child's
success and for solving any problems that arise.
Give your child choices whenever possible and practical.
Listen to and observe your child.
Remember that your child is a person with feelings, a unique personality with potential who happens to have
disabilities.
Take the initiative to educate the public whenever possible about the capabilities, potential, as well as interesting
personalities of people with disabilities.
Most of the items on this list should be posted in every household that has children, whether disabilities arc
involved or not.
There is nothing extraordinary in the list. It's just good parenting and a great philosophy by which to raise any child.
Material for this column came, in part, from the Newsletter of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta,
Feb/March 2000, "I did it; I did it! " by Mary Jane Outman.
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Nancy Lambert Davenport
EMAIL: nancdave@swbell.net
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com