In the 1920's and 1930's pediatrician Arnold Gesell and his colleagues Frances Ilg and Louise B. Ames, photographed, observed and interviewed hundreds of children from one to sixteen years of age. They published several books e.g., (Gesell 1940; Gesell and Ilg 1946) that gave profiles for each year level. These profiles have stood the test of time and are still quite applicable to today's children.

“You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, and a sigh is still a sigh. The fundamental things of life remain the same as time goes by.”

I was reminded of these lyrics as I reviewed a new book entitled, Human Development from Early Childhood to Early Adulthood: Findings from a Twenty Year longitudinal Study.(Schneider 2009). 

This Memorial Day weekend we went to the Hudson Valley to attend our niece’s graduation from Marist College. Marist sits right on the bank of the Hudson with beautiful views across the river to the magnificent Catskill Mountains. It was a warm, sunny day and the ceremony was held on a huge quad sloping down to the river. When we arrived at the college our niece’s three daughters were there to greet us. Stella Blue is five, Raven is three and Willow is just one. In most cases ceremonies like this are really not for little children.

The approach of Easter reminds me of the question I am often asked about whether we should tell young children about the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, Santa Claus or fairy tales in general. Parents tell me that they are concerned because these characters are only imaginary and not true. What these parents fear is that when their children get older, and discover that these stories are not true, that they will think that their parents have lied to them. While such parental concern is entirely understandable, it is an adult not a child’s perspective.