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Key reason no.5: Learning right and wrong
During the first 1000 days the groundwork is laid for learning the difference between right and wrong. This process continues right through childhood and adolescence and into adulthood by when the child will be a mature caring person of sound moral judgment.
The baby starts to get a simple sense of feeling for other people which will grow into a sense of empathy for others and finally, a mature understanding of other people’s feelings and sympathy for them.
The toddler starts to learn some self-control although as we all know this can be a lifelong process. It is during toddlerhood also that the child learns about rules. At first there is no sense of proportion about this – a minor infringement can cause as much outrage for the young child as a major error.
In adolescence and early adulthood, idealism can flourish and the mature young person, understands the difference between good and bad, right and wrong, and develops their own set of values.
But it all begins in the first 1000 days. Did you know, for example, that -
- A sense of empathy, a feeling for others, starts at an early age – a baby may cry when it hears another baby crying.
- The toddler may hug and comfort an upset playmate.
- During this period the beginnings of self-control can develop.
Check out key reason no.6.