Pediatrician’s advices

1. The first crisis that a human lives through is the transition from the intrauterine state into the outside life, in other words the birth. The main task of this crisis is to adapt to the environment. Hence the parents’ mission is to assist a baby in this task.

   Advice one: Surround a baby with love and care frm the first minutes of his/her life. Take him/her into your arms more often, smile to him/her and talk to him/her, feed him/her at first request, take care of his/her skin, wash him/her and take him/her outdoors every day.

2. The second crisis occurs at the age of 2-3 years. Its task is to establish the borders of acceptable behavior. A child behaves as if testing you - he/she is capricious, plays pranks, often says: “I’ll do that myself”, “I don’t want”.

   Advice two: Be patient, learn to analyze the reasons of whims, explain to your child in what way this or that subject, game or phenomenon is interesting or dangerous.

3. At the age of 4-5 years the world outlook crisis arises when a child starts thinking over the sense of being: “What the stars are made of?”, “Where do children come from?”, “Won’t I die, Mom?”. The need to explain the world is the most persistent need in the age of 3-6 years.

   Advice three: Arm yourselves with knowledge and gain patience to answer all questions “Why?” and “What for?”. Reply saying: “I don’t know” - as rarely as possible. Never say: “I don’t know” and “You may not” without a clear substantiation. Remember that the best method of teaching is personal example.

4. When a child starts going to school, he/she may experience the crisis of initial learning.

   Advice four: With help of specialists (pediatrician, logopedist, psychoneurologist, etc.) determine the level of your child’s school maturity. This will help you in selecting the age to start attending school and the school itself.

5. Further goes the adolescence crisis, known to everybody. The purpose and task of this crisis is to acquire a personal autonomy, necessary for developing the ability of taking responsibility for the consequences of all your views, words and actions.

   Advice five: Become a friend to your child; respect his friends, views and hobbies. Having become your child’s authoritative friend you will be able to influence his choice, decisions and deeds.

6. Advice six: Do not hesitate to consult a physician, psychologist or other specialist, whom you trust.
   
7. Advice seven: Merely love your children and show your love as often as possible.