Thinking Outside the Box

Decisions made in family court that affect the life of the young child, but that are not based on well-researched theories of psycho-social development, such as attachment theory, hurt the very validity of the court. These decisions also can result in short- or even long-term psychological damage to the individual.

In many states, young children do not have legal representation of their own. Every child should have the right to have his or her developmental needs fully described in court. That child’s unique life history must be understood if informed decisions are to be made on his or her behalf, and appropriate parenting plans created. This requires an understanding of the research as well as of the individual child. It cannot be accomplished by lawyers alone. Children also need advocates who understand developmental theory and research, and their particular needs.

When evaluating a parenting plan, toddlers and preschoolers have the ability to indicate how well it is working. Even nonverbal infants can express their needs in a subtle manner. Advocates are essential at this stage, as well, to let the court know if the plan is working. When will this vital process become standard in the family court system? It seems we have a long road to travel.

More Thinking Outside the Box

CWRU produces new pamphlets on soul children

"Soul" is more than a catchy phrase when it comes to child-rearing, often called the hardest task any individual can undertake. To present the basic principles of raising children in a readable fashion, some local persons teamed up to produce the Child Care Pamphlet series, published by the Press of Case Western Reserve University.

The series was the brain­child of Peter Ernest Haiman, former director of the Hough Parent and Child center and an assistant professor at Lake Erie College. "I was very concerned that there is a whole segment of our population that has been deprived of child-rearing and health information.," said Haiman. He continued, "Such information has mainly been written in textbooks geared for a middle-class clientele. It is very important to get this information into a style that is relevant to parents in the inner city."

The first four books, written by Haiman and illustrated by Jennifer Myerberg, an art student, teach parents in a lively way, yet without preaching to them. For example, one - "Kids Copy Their Parents", warns "Careful what you're saying dude". It goes on, "sometimes kids can get their mother uptight...This mother feels uptight, but she tries to keep herself together and not hit her kid. She tries to keep her cool because she doesn't want her child to copy her behavior."

Another book, entitled "Soul Mother", gets to the heart -_ and soul -- of being a good parent. Soul is cuddling up your baby. Mothers get satisfaction from holding their children. Babies like a lot of loving", writes Haiman. The bright booklet also relates, "Soul is also playing with your child...Soul is singing or talking to your child...Soul is a baby smiling and cooing at the sound of his mother's voice."

The two other pamphlets are "When Kids Fight Over Toys",, which teaches cooperation and "brotherhood", and "Keep Babies Busy", which emphasizes the importance of a stimulating environment for babies. All of the books are available from neighborhood centers or from the CWRU press.

In addition, suggestions from inner-city persons for future booklets in the continuing series are being solicited. Others in preparation discuss health, nutrition, discipline and safety precautions. However, it is hoped that an inner-city person and a professional could work together in producing a relevant pamphlet for the community. After all, the "soul" of inner-city kids is at stake.

SOUL BABY

This drawing is one of many in an interesting and informative child care series, published to relate especially to inner-city parents.

This newspaper article appeared in the Cleveland, Ohio's THE CALL and POST, Saturday August 26, 1972, p. 8B