Nurturing Yields a Productive Citizen

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Does nurturing in an early childhood stage help to create a productive citizen? Yes, nurturing children, “ building a loving and caring relationship” in an early childhood stage allows young children to obtain a positive self-concept, reach social & emotional development, understand others, achieve physical growth0 and learn intellectually and morally (Love Our Children USA).

First, a positive self-concept (the image one has of oneself and ones strengths) sets the basis as to how a child will conduct his or herself in the future. “Children with good self concepts are more likely to grow into happy and productive members of society” (Arkin et al.). Parents should encourage positive self-concepts in children. To help a child reach this goal, guidance is needed. Guidance is one of the biggest parts in nurturing a child. Without guidance, the child has no way of knowing what is expected of them. If a child does not know what they are expected to do there is no way that the child will be able to do what is needed.

Both direct and indirect guidance are useful when teaching young children. Direct guidance includes verbal and nonverbal actions such as, praise or a simple smile. When a teacher or caregiver praises a child, their self-esteem receives a boost. Young children learn to “value effort if one praises hard work as well as praising the child’s achievements” (Arkin et al.). This is because the teacher assured the child that they did a good job by expressing it using words of encouragement. In addition to praise, a pleasant smile will also let the child know how they are doing. Indirect guidance, on the other hand, involves things not directed to a particular behavior or action, such as a positive attitude, to influence a child‘...

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...ture (Dombeck et al.). Parents who nurture their child help them to have a positive self-concept, reach social & emotional development, understand others, grow physically and become intellectually and morally stable.

Works Cited

Arkin, Carol, Kathy Jelley, Rose Merkowitz, and Scott Scheer. “Nurturing Your Child’s Self Esteem.” Ohioline.osu.edu. Ohio State University, 2010. Web. 20 November 2011.

Dombeck, Mark, Angela Oswalt, Natalie Reiss. “Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction.” MentalHelp.net. Mental Help, 16 January 2008. Web. 20 November 2011.

Herr, Judy. Working with Young Children. Tinley Park, Illinois: Goodheart-Willcox, 2008. Print.

Kasschau, Richard A. Understanding Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2008. Print.

"The Nurturing Parent." Love Our Children USA. LoveOurChildrenUSA.org, 1999. Web. 20 November 2011.

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