Metamorphosis defines most healthy life experiences. Scientists and philosophers research and develop paradigms, share interests and curiosity surrounding developmental milestones, and put great time and effort into establishing outlines and procedures that focus on times during which key interventions help facilitate transitions through life.
College students learn about Erikson’s theory of developmental stages designed to help us understand the human condition through growth. Basic psychology courses include Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which addresses what motivates people. Human beings are an enigma as each person is multi-faceted, motivated by a wide range of priorities, desires and needs, and we come in all shapes and sizes on three levels: mind, body and spirit.
So when is the best time to facilitate self-esteem and peaceful conflict resolution? I have personally found that second grade is an essential group to target especially with regard to teaching certain skills such as telling time, resolving differences of opinion in a positive way, spelling, grammar and taking personal responsibility for healthy boundary setting.
I am admittedly not a famous philosopher or scientist; however, I am – at heart, a researcher with a strong educational background, analytical personality, and well developed clinical skills. I’m driven by an intuitive, curious, observant and methodical nature which inspired the following:
For about a decade I devoted a great deal of time listening to elementary school teachers, students and parents who shared concerns regarding their challenges, wishes and dreams. I then reflected what I learned in short stories for children, each of which were piloted in and out of the classroom to adults as well as second, third, fourth and fifth graders – all of whom inspired the stories. Ultimately, it became clear that, out of the 34 stories I had written to address a wide range of needs and situations, about 20 or so are of particular interest to elementary school children between the ages of 7-9. These became “Marcy and Her Friends.” This children’s book was ‘accumulated’ over several years, and finally formally published in 2003. (While Scholastic wanted to market the book to fifth graders OR publish it, at that time, with illustrations to second graders, I was too thick headed to agree to illustration since I wanted ‘Marcy’ to be able to be anyone – no culture etc. Had I the opportunity to do this over again, I would re-think this. Marcy deserves to be out there and I haven’t put much time or energy into marketing her talents). That having been said, (tongue in cheek at this point):
Please check out my website and navigate around for free information that you can print out to use in the classroom (by teachers) and at home (by older siblings, baby-sitters and parents) to facilitate communication, and many lessons throughout the interactive book entitled “Marcy and Her Friends.”
- Click here for the free situation and lesson guide.
- Click here for stories in brief.
- Click here for helpful classroom activities.
Dr. Nancy Iankowitz DNP, RN, FNP-BC 