Touch can be a touchy subject. Child sexual abuse has long been a taboo topic. Only in recent years has it come to the surface in public discourse. Stories of children abused by adults in positions of trust or authority are frequently the focus of headlines, talk shows and television dramas.
The past few weeks have reminded me yet again how special Memphis is -- the accessibility of our public leadership, the willingness by city government to reach out to the public for help, and the creation of a civic agenda that we can all embrace and support. There has been one important thread running through the fabric of these recent events -- early childhood development -- and it's being woven by the smart thinkers at The Urban Child Institute.
Have you or any of your family members, friends or colleagues ever had a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart disease, hypertension or diabetes? Do you or do you know someone that suffers from high blood pressure, obesity, depression or addiction? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a possibility that you or someone you know endured traumatic experiences as a child that may have predetermined or caused these unfortunate circumstances to occur.
The importance of children's earliest years has long been recognized, but our understanding of the underlying science has taken a significant leap in the past decades. Studies regularly document the effects that a child's earliest experiences can have on later life and adult health. There is a growing consensus among experts that a key mechanism linking childhood adversity to later health and well-being is the stress caused by early negative experiences. These early negative experiences manifest in neglect, emotional and physical abuse, and excessively harsh parenting.
From the very first moment that a child enters the world and throughout the first three years of life, positive parenting is the key needed to unlock his or her full potential. Babies are born ready to learn and parents are a child’s first teachers. Understanding the fundamentals of positive parenting can help new or expecting mothers and fathers ensure their child develops the tools that he or she needs to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom.
It has been said that a parent is only as content as his or her least content child. In recent months, we've read several human-interest stories that prove the truth of this statement.