22 Unit 1 Children and Families in Today’s World Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Brazelton and Greenspan’s Irreducible Needs Currently, two noted researchers and physi- cians, T. Berry Brazelton and Stanley I. Greenspan, have researched the basic needs of all children. They identifi ed seven needs children must meet to thrive and fl ourish for a lifetime, which they call the irreducible needs of children. (Irreducible means impossible to make smaller or simpler.) These needs include • ongoing nurturing relationships. A nurturing relationship is critical for all development. Children from birth through the preschool years need nurturing interactions most of their waking hours. If this relationship is absent or interrupted, children are apt to develop disorders in their intellectual, social, and emotional development. • physical protection, safety, and regulation. Children need an environment both before and after birth that protects them from physical and emotional harm. For example, this includes appropriate food, clothing, and shelter and protection from toxins, harm, and any form of abuse. • experiences tailored to individual differences. Each child has a unique temperament and way of relating to the world of matter and people. Parents need to match the child’s strengths and weaknesses with their experiences. In this way a child achieves his or her potential (Figure 1.11). Figure 1.10 Maslow sees two kinds of needs in all humans—basic needs (physical and psychological needs) and higher-level needs (self-actualization needs). Where would you place yourself on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? Which needs are met? Which needs are not met? Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs Self-Actualization All needs have been fulfilled to some degree Esteem Need to be liked and respected Love and Acceptance Need for support, assurance, praise, acceptance Security Need to feel safe in surroundings Physical Needs Need for air, water, food, clothing, shelter, medical care