TODDLERS are explorative touching machines on a constant journey of discovering their world.
Research has underscored how critical this phase of development is.
The nervous system and muscle coordination are developing at their most rapid rate while the brain is forming over one million new neural connections per second.
These connections must be exercised by stimulation in order to be permanently established.
This burst of energy, activity and curiosity creates challenges for parents.
Some parents respond be being overly protective or controlling while others encourage and support their child’s exploration.
How does our caregiver’s response in this stage of our life leave long-term impacts on us?
Parents who pervasively restrict their child’s exploration unwittingly crush the child’s curiosity and desire to explore. This undermines the healthy development of motivation, initiative and creativity.
A foundation of consistently being told “No!” often leads to a disconnect with initiative and motivation in adulthood.
Passivity, anxiety, people pleasing or agitation are also indicators that your early attempts of autonomy and initiative have been shut down.
You may find yourself functioning out of the motivation of others rather than your own. You may have difficulty identifying your feelings or your own wants and needs.
Without a developed internal awareness, our focus becomes external and we are vulnerable to being controlled by others.
Understanding the origins of your behaviour is not about casting culpability toward your parents.
They were human with their own strengths and weaknesses, reacting to the emotional issue of the moment and doing the best they could with their own life course.
Generational patterns, early life experiences are highly influential in the adult we become. However, we each have self-determination to help us set a new course in how we choose to live.
