So in my life... I easily see lots of cute kids... every single day. Don't get me wrong, I still love that sometimes I turn around and realize that I have a shadow or that half the kids at my school seem to think my name is "Gaffy" "Gatti" or "Daddy". I wouldn't trade one tearstain on my shoulder or one handprint on my car... or on my pants. Every snot covered shirt I've had to wash and every exhausted night I have crashed into bed, as much as I may gripe about it later, it's all worth it to be loved by them. And besides, how else am I going to convince children that washing my socks can be equated with love?
At the Early Learning Center I have worked in every classroom from six months to twelve years. I don't know if I am actually that cool to smalls or that I'm just there, but I have discovered that all of them want to love and they all love me.
From six months to a year anyone who is not Mama or Daddy is... well, not anyone of importance... except for the minor detail of... "WHERE'S MAMA!!!!!" Naps are... evil... if Mama isn't there.
From a year to eighteen months kids are in the high energy stage. They want to be constantly entertained with constant change in topic every three minutes. Naps are regulated to whenever they feel like it and God hath no fury like a wakened toddler.
Eighteen months to two years is even more high energy. They want flashy hands and noisy toys. It's frightening. Yet they love you no matter what.
From two years to two and a half years they want song, noise, constant attention, and constant hugs. Being held is awesome, flashy toys are paradise, and nothing is quite right if naptime is delayed.
At three years they develop a change- they still love you and want your time, energy, and patience... but now they've discovered that if they are bad they achieve the same goal. ZOMG!!! Naptime is an evil which must be avoided at all costs and destruction is the best way to learn. They still love you but they haven't grasped the idea that torture does not equate to affection being rendered.
At four years some sanity returns with the recognition of punishment which result from bad behavior. However, attitude comes in, followed shortly by bad attitudes and dragging of heels just long enough to drive everyone else nuts but quick enough to avoid punishment. Their love is constant, even when their halos are not.
Five year olds are much the same except we add in the desire to actually TEACH THEM in school. (It may be argued that "school" isn't a good word for this- I think "Circus" would be more accurate.) They may pretend to hate you, but they are genuinely offended if you forget to love them.
At six they discover either a) they like to learn and will do so willingly, like a flower hungry for the sun's rays, and/or b) they don't like school and will be the torturers of the modern age. At this age they return to infancy and claim to love no one but Mama and Papa but still want your undying attention, affection, and energy.
Seven-year-olds require constant attention, not because they require it but because they desire it. "Did you know that..." "Can you guess why..." "Who do you think will..." Every sentence begins with something that they know that they question if you know. Word to the wise, if they don't do this to you, they don't like you and they certainly don't love you.
Eight-year-olds begin the stage of believing they are little adults. Up until this point they identify themselves soley as "big kids" but now they want duties and enjoy being entrusted with them. However, *doing* the job is another thing.
At nine they begin to actually be helpful. They understand that your time is not their time and in some cases seem to appreciate any time you spend with them. Continuing on this wavelength, they are easily flustered when they are unable to complete tasks on their own through some complication beyond their control (i.e. height, strength, weather, etc.). They are capable of working independently but this is the beginning of the change in which they want all your love but aren't quite sure how to show it anymore. This the beginning of that wretched word: "tween".
Ten-year-olds continue much of the nine-year-old phase as their bodies begin to grow at a more rapid pace. They still desire attention and affection constantly but they attain a growing level of independence. They sometimes want the attention of adults outside of their parents and make relationships with other role models.
Eleven-year-olds will frequently lose their minds. At this point and for the next few years, physical affection is very important to them as they progress. Bodily growth is increasing, followed shortly by puberty. They are moody and unpredictable in every respect except for one- they want to be loved.
Twelve-year-olds don't have a clue what they want- all they know for sure is that you are not providing it. They lose their minds.
Thirteen-year-olds lose
your minds.
Fourteen-year-olds have no minds.
At fifteen they begin to temper down a little as a lull before the storm.
At sixteen they think they know everything.
At seventeen they think you know nothing.
At eighteen it occurs to them that maybe you aren't as dumb as they thought- not that they'd tell you. They also begin to wish they were small again. This brings about a reversion to kindergarden maturity. I'd like to add they still want to be loved.
Nineteen-year-olds begin to understand what it's like to fear- what if something happened to you? They express their love more frequently.
At twenty they begin to plan what will happen next and wonder how you will play a role in this.
At twenty-one most children are out of "the nest" and planning for making their own little nests and though they may leave they now start to wish they were smaller again.
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