Catching Humpty Dumpty – A Good Foundation
Sixteen time-bombs that may be set to go off in your child unless you do something to prevent them now.
Sixteen time-bombs that may be set to go off in your child unless you do something to prevent them now.
In a solid rocket motor, the difference between a launch and a detonation can be one little crack. A rocket motor is not like a car motor. It doesn’t have a bunch of moving metal parts. In fact, it’s more like a big rubber eraser with a bunch of small particles in it. When cast and cured correctly, it burns from one end to the other (after ignition), which causes a controlled thrust powerful enough to lift huge shuttles and satellites into space. It’s also the same stuff that propels tactical missiles to their destinations.
One little crack in the solid, rubbery fuel will cause an over-pressure so quickly that the burn becomes an instantaneous explosion- a detonation. Rocket scientists and engineers are very careful to make sure that a solid rocket motor (SRM) has no gaps, de-bonds, or cracks anywhere inside. They also protect an SRM during transport from manufacture in say, Utah, to NASA in Florida, to make sure that nothing impacts the SRM, and that it doesn’t get dropped or bumped at any time in the loading and unloading. One little crack in the solid fuel can mean the difference between celebrating an astronaut in space and attending his/her funeral.
So what does that have to do with raising children? One little crack in the foundation of a child’s beginnings can change his/her future forever. Most of these are preventable or treatable if caught early, and children are resilient, thank goodness. It’s also similar to getting off-track like this ( < ). See how at the beginning of the crack the lines are close together near the point? But the further it grows, the wider the gap between the lines, or the more off-track we are. What might seem like a small thing in the beginning may have lasting effects later.
What do dyslexia, speech problems, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, a weak immune system, malnutrition, children of rage, low self-esteem, insecurity, childhood depression, low self-confidence, lack of imagination, lower IQ, slower learning capacity, poor decision-making skills, lack of social skills, and the downward educational trend have in common? Most may be preventable or curable when caught early. You, mom and dad, are the key.
Let’s discuss how each of the building blocks (substance-free pregnancy and home, breast-feeding and nutrition, affection and family environment, brain stimulation, early phonics, early math, service projects) can prevent or treat the cracks in your child’s life: What would you be willing to do to prevent your child from having dyslexia? What would you be willing to do to help her be gifted? Academically talented?
Even though there may be a genetic (or biological) link to some learning disabilities, certain environmental factors can trigger problems or worsen them. Others can prevent or improve them. And even though there may be a genetic link to intelligence, certain environmental factors can stunt it, while others can enhance it. There are many things a parent can do to help give her child the best possible cognitive abilities.
Ideally, preventing learning disabilities in your child begins before her conception. We all know the drill of being drug and alcohol free, not smoking, eating nutritionally, taking prenatal vitamins and iron, etc., but they work. They make sure that your baby gets enough oxygen and nutrition without any detrimental substances to stunt development. We also know that making sure the baby has enough oxygen during delivery is essential to mental health. We'll discuss them more in-depth next week.
