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EARLY CHILDHOOD

The following illustrates a random draw of abuse and affect/effect cards for the years of six, seven, eight, and nine. Affect/Effect cards have been drawn from the ivory strand and are reflective of the child who externalizes her anger. (See Infancy/Toddlerhood, Preschool , and Late Adolescence for examples of a child who internalizes anger.) In this particular example, the subtleties of the externalizing behaviors could be interpreted as a child with a developmental delay, although this is not the case. Thumb sucking, wanting to sit in an adults lap, not looking before crossing the road, and unprovoked attacks for reasons that cannot be verbalized are behaviors considered developmentally appropriate for the preschool child. Three of the four affect/effect cards describe behaviors involving other people, i.e., men, bus driver, playmates. This child is never validated, meaning four puzzle pieces remain removed from the early childhood silhouette, providing a symbolic representation of the part of the little girl that remains hurt and in need of acknowledgment, validation, and healing. 
  
  

Six-Years-Old You will be beginning first grade in four days. Picking out just the perfect outfit is of great importance to you. You are excited about getting to eat lunch at school. The shiny and brightly colored packages of juice, fruit snacks, cookies and chips intrigue you. You like the idea of being in charge of what you get to eat first. Age six is very grown up.