During many of our grade-level coffees, I have frequently referenced Yardsticks - Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14; A Resource for Parents and Teachers. This wonderful resource is a simple, easy-to-access guide to raising healthy, engaged, school-aged children. Chip Wood, the author, writes with an easy, clear style and captures the essentials of child development and how to interpret our children at school or at home.
Mr. Wood writes about something I think it is worth reminding ourselves of frequently; growth in our children is uneven. He writes:
Like the seasons, the tides, the turning of the earth on itself and around the sun, the birth and death of stars, the music of the universe -- there is an ebb and flow to life that is mystical and spiritual. Babies are calm at one time of day, fretful at another. Children are more compliant and obedient at one age, more resistant and difficult at others. Learning seems to come in spurts and be followed by periods of consolidation. Sudden spurts of physical growth are obvious, and are followed by periods of little physical change. The shifting back and forth is a normal part of the life cycle and appears to continue into adulthood.
In a busy world that seems to often focused on perfection, it is worth remembering that our children grow unevenly and that is, in and of itself, beautiful, natural, and normal. As teachers and parents, our shared goal is to create a rich, nurturing environment that enables healthy growth in all of our children, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. A mentor of mine once said learning is messy. Let’s celebrate our children’s development, in all of its messy wonder, appreciating how hard it can be and that we have each other for support.