Parenting Inside and Outside the Funnel

Childhood experts agree that when a child is at peace with his environment, his learning potential increases, learning disorders abate, and dysfunctional behaviors diminish. So what happens when a child is consistently placed in an environment that is not age-appropriate? What happens to a child who is given too many freedoms too early? What about a child who is free to direct his own life without parental accountability?

Consider a basic funnel. The narrow stem of the funnel represents the early ages of a child’s life, which  eventually expands as the child grows in stature and wisdom. Each point of expansion represents greater freedoms that are matched by the child’s developmental age and maturity.

In their all-too-complex worlds, parents tend to rush their children through childhood. In an effort to give the child confidence, parents sometimes allow their son or daughter behavioral freedoms that are neither age-appropriate, nor in harmony with the child’s moral and intellectual capabilities. This is called ”parenting outside the funnel” and it is all about developmental readiness.

For example, to grant a three-year-old the same freedoms that are appropriate for a six-year-old is parenting outside the funnel. A three-year-old does not possess the emotional, social, physical or intellectual capacities that belong to a six-year-old. He does not posses the wisdom, life experiences, or necessary level of age-related self-control that allows a six year to do what a six-year-old is capable of doing. . .

To read more purchase Parenting From the Tree of Life