CHILD EMOTIONAL ABUSE

5. Delayed Development
Notes:

 

Delayed development can be:

  • emotional,
  • social or
  • academic

and may include:

  • sleep disorders and
  • speech disorders

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Information:

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Think about how many times a baby is encouraged to smile, laugh, crawl, walk and talk - then praised for every small effort – all before they’re even 2 years old! If they’re hungry we feed them, if they’re dirty, cold or hot we make them comfortable, if they are rude or aggressive or inappropriate we teach them, and if they’re hurt or scared we comfort them.

Most babies receive thousands and thousands of words of encouragement and praise and comfort, endless smiles, and constant reactions from Parents. We are just like many other animals whose babies need poking and prodding and support, guidance and encouragement to move on to the next stage of development.

So is it any wonder that a child who is denied this emotional support lags behind in development? This is a strong indicator of emotional abuse.