Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Learning About Children 23 • experiences that are developmentally appropriate. Each child needs experiences tailored to his or her stage of development. Parents and those working in child-related careers need to know and apply “best practices” for each stage of development as the child matures. • limit setting, structure, and expectations. Children need both structure and discipline in their lives. Parents and other adults need to empathize with children’s feelings, or understand and relate to them, but set limits as well. In this way children can develop self-discipline and resolve confl icts in peaceful ways. • stable communities and cultural continuity. Children need continuity of values in family, peer groups, and the broader community. Parents and others who work with children must work together, not compete. For example, when two adults have different ideas about what they think is best for children and are unwilling to work together, this would be considered competing. • protecting the future. People live in an interdependent nation and world. Adults must meet the needs of all children. To protect the future for one child, people must protect it for all. Work With Children In the past, people thought all the knowl- edge and skills that adults need for child-related careers—including parenting—came naturally. Many felt just being raised in a family teaches adults all they need to know about children and child care skills. Today, experts know that understanding children requires careful study. Changes con- tinue to take place in society and in families. These changes require people to know more about children’s growth and development than what they observe in their own families. Adults with child-related careers should study chil- dren. Some careers may seem to focus mainly on one aspect of children’s development. The child is, however, a whole person. Anyone prepar- ing for a child-related career should know some about all aspects of children’s growth and devel- opment. Learning more about children enables workers in child-related careers to provide better care for children. (Throughout the text you will note Focus on Careers features that highlight careers working with children.) Figure 1.11 Children achieve their potential through different experiences and rates of growth it is important that parents recognize their children’s strengths and weaknesses and nurture them accordingly. Consider two children you know. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What experiences might encourage growth for each of them?