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Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Over fifty years ago, Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) theorized that a specific
series of needs must be met before any child could learn. Current brain
research confirms his theory. Below is a brief explanation of Maslow's
Hierarchy of Needs:
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Love and belonging needs: affection shown to the child, trust of those around him, someone who listens, daily order, a right to privacy, unconditional love;
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Self-esteem needs: someone affirms the child's worth, child is given the opportunity to achieve, to make choices, to be successful;
A child who is hungry cannot learn. A child who is stressed cannot
learn. A child who is in an environment absent of unconditional love
cannot learn.
In fact, the brain of a child who feels emotionally or physically
threatened produces chemicals that actually inhibit learning. Threat or
stress put the brain in survival mode at the expense of higher order
thinking skills, and lasting threat or stress reduces the brain's capacity
for understanding, meaning, memory, and analytical thinking. Therefore, it
is vital that we assist emergent readers by ensuring that, first, the
conditions necessary for learning are in place.
__________________________________ If, upon
occasion, your child is not learning, perhaps he does not feel safe. Talk
to him about your family's faith in God. Talk to him about how the adults
in his midst care for him.
If your child is not fearful about issues of safety, but is still
having a difficult time learning, look to his sleep patterns, nutrition,
relationships with peers, or other physical or emotional needs. Help him
construct a firm foundation.
His secret brilliance will shine once his hierarchy of needs is met.
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