It Takes a Village: Grandparents and Special Friends

BY DR. JENN MILAM, PAMELA K. MURFIN HEAD OF SCHOOL

There are about a hundred ways in which educators, physicians, and child development experts point to raising healthy, well-rounded children. These most certainly include basic needs like food, water, and shelter. They also include socially and emotionally robust experiences that shape morality, values, and purpose. And it most definitely includes providing education and enriching activities to teach knowledge, independence, skill, and passion. But more, experts also point to the importance of having an extended ecosystem of important people who make important contributions to the emotional, social, and psychological development in the life of a young person. 

The Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), a group of professionals based out of the UK, writes:

Relationships beyond the immediate family (mother, father, sisters, and brothers) can make a positive contribution to children’s emotional development and sense of themselves. An independent and developing relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is invaluable for everybody.

The article continues by including that not only do grandparents have an important impact on child development, but so, too, can a special friend - a nanny, a parent’s best friend, a member of a church family, or a school mentor. Relationships beyond those of the parent and child, teach and reinforce for young people that there are networks of people in life on which they can rely, teaching trust, confidence, and independence beyond the immediate family. 

In addition to the developmental benefits of grandparents and special friends, these relationships grow and expand the world in meaningful ways for children. These important people can introduce new hobbies, differing viewpoints, and perspectives, and teach our children that as time passes and people grow older, that wisdom and compassion are born. The ACP continues by noting, “A child can gain not just a reliable and interested caregiver, but someone who is their confidante and friend.” Children with a network of trusted adults are more self-assured, more resilient, and have an increasing sense of agency when entering into novel situations. It’s truly a win-win! 

Tomorrow, Friday, November 22, we will celebrate our Grandparents and Special Friends at The Winston School. If you have not already done so, and your student wishes to have a guest, please email Ms. Jones ([email protected]) as soon as possible. We have some exciting things planned for visitors across all three divisions, an opportunity to visit our Luminati Book Fair for all students in grades K-8, and we are thrilled to share our special school and amazing teachers with your students’ special friends!