...Self-discovery is a lifelong process. One of the most exciting stages is when our children reach about four years of age and begin to develop self-awareness. Before then, as infants, children are more puppet-like, acting and being acted upon without conscious reflection. With the "terrible two's," independence and choice making increase, but are motivated by the desire to get what they want. They live in a Pleasure Island world. Two and three-year-olds can't fully understand Mom's and Dad's Jiminy Cricket-like appeals for civility and responsibility...

Tags: communications & discipline