What's in a Name? A brand and philosophy to live by

Start studying child development and you will soon run into a concept called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This theory involves a 5-tier model of human needs, often depicted as a pyramid. The lower needs must be satisfied before you can “level up”.

This model influences everything that I do in my business. Let me explain.

The lowest level (the foundation) represents basic physiological needs. Food, water, sleep, shelter… those sorts of things. I like to think of this level as the “babysitting” level or the “keep them alive” level. There is definitely a place for this in child care! I know that most evenings when I’m needing some gym time or time with my Bible study group, I just need my kids looked after for an hour and kept relatively happy.

However, I would not want my children to spend the majority of their time during their most formative years in a basic babysitting care situation. That time is just too valuable.

The next level of human needs is the need for safety and emotional security. I think sometimes, we underestimate or try to rush people when they are at this level. As adults, your feelings of safety and security are influenced by your personality, your past experience and your perception of what the situation is. Children are no different! But, their personality is forming, they have limited past experiences to draw from, and their perception is – let’s just say it—childish!

It will take them time to warm up and feel that deep level of security and that “home away from home” feeling about their care situation. That is normal and expected. This level is built —over time— as children experience rhythm within their routines and consistency from their environment and caregiver.

The next level is the level of belonging and love. This is where children really begin to flourish. They feel safe, basic needs are met and now... they are ready to have fun! They are ready to make friends and build relationships. One tool I use in my home is the understanding of Gary Chapman’s “5 Love Languages” and how they relate to children.

If you are unfamiliar with his work, here is a quick graphic to explain.

I do my best to make sure each child receives love in all the ways. I also teach children to respect each other and to sort out conflicts between each other. As they navigate and take ownership of their relationships with their friends, they continue to grow.

The fourth level is the whole point of this article. But, just like children need the solid foundation of the first levels, an understanding of Maslow’s theory makes clear the point I’m trying to make. The guiding principle behind “Soaring Spirits Learning Home” is the daily effort to reach level 4 living. This level is all about self-esteem. It’s feeling competent. It’s feeling a sense of mastery. It’s getting recognized for the growth others see in you. Ultimately, it’s self-pride.

That is what makes me so passionate about children. Because, a child who feels a sense of pride is a child who can build a happy life for themselves. The end goal is happy, confident children. The goal isn’t having perfectly behaved children or children that can read at age 3 or children that never do wrong. My goal is to get little ones to stand securely on level 4 so they can soar and continue that lifelong journey towards reaching their highest potential.