Children pass through five development phases. (All times are approximate and with phase overlap for both kids and parents passing through their own development.)
© Babyhood, the most critical formative phase, is roughly the first three years and ends with opening of the conscious mind.
© Toddlerhood, a transition phase, is roughly the second three years and until or through first grade.
© The tweens, also a critically formative phase, is roughly from first grade until puberty.
© Puberty, another transition phase, occurs when the hormone hurricane arrives and rearranges a child’s persona and disturbs his or her personality.
© Adolescence, a refining phase, is roughly the teen years, although development aka self-development doesn’t fully end until about age 21.
To optimize child development, Nature guides parents to fill different roles that coincide with these phases: Nurturers in the first two, primary and secondary leaders in the next two, and coaches in the last phase.
Parental influences are next post facto.
