Perspective Taking

Maria, pictured here at the age of five, is the author of our first entry on chapter 2. She said, "I am not sure why I was dressed like a pilgrim. The boy in the picture was a classmate named Omar." Perhaps her teachers wanted her to take on the perspective of the first European settlers in North America?... Happy reading!

Chapter two encourages parents to teach their children how to understand the perspective of others. Doing so will help children develop many lifelong skills. It will teach them how to be independent, as well as how to relate to others, and will help them learn to read. These skills should be practiced from infancy. One of the nine suggestions Galinsky gives in this chapter is to “Practice What We Preach.” Children imitate what they see. Therefore if we are behaving inappropriately, they will, too. “How children gain insight into ‘what goes on in people’s hearts and minds,’ depends on how parents interpret ‘the everyday events of their lives’ (p. 85). This quote helps sum up the point Galinsky is trying to get across. In connection with this is how we react emotionally to different situations. Children will react to other people’s feelings in the same manner as their parents.

As I read through this chapter, I could make connections with parenting techniques I have learned in other Child Development classes such as: mirroring, active listening, and I-messages. I feel that these are very important and crucial techniques for parents to implement. Galinsky touches on these subjects using different examples and scenarios. By practicing perspective taking children will be able to handle difficult tasks in life with more confidence, ease, and a better understanding of others. Another benefit to applying perspective taking from a young age is that it will help children merge into kindergarten more easily. This reminds me of my first day of school. I was five years old and my older sister had woken me up bright and early. She helped me get dressed and fed me breakfast. Then, we walked to school. She held my hand very tightly the whole way there. As we stood outside of my classroom she refused to let go of my hand. Finally, we went into the classroom and she greeted my teacher, Mrs. Chaney. I set my stuff down and began to explore the classroom. My sister stood there trying to fight back her tears. She kneeled down and asked me if I was going to be ok. I was very calm and excited to begin school. I assured her with a huge smile on my face that I was just fine; but, she repeatedly asked me, “Are you sure?” “Yes you can go now” I told her. She walked away crying and till this day she continues to tell that story.

Taking Galinsky’s suggestions into consideration I agree that perspective taking teaches children independence. One can learn to deal with difficult situations even when others are not handling them well (as in the case of my sister who was heartbroken to separate from me). Growing up I learned the importance of taking others’ feelings into consideration. My siblings and I have a huge age difference between us. Therefore, I did not grow up around a lot of children or with anyone to fight with. I grew up with adults and my feelings and personal space were always respected. I learned the importance of respecting others and looking at things through their perspective. Also these suggestions provided by the author help parents with parenting skills that can help children develop to their fullest potential and prepare them to conquer the world. As adults we need to be mindful of our actions, words, and reactions especially around children. As Galinsky indicated, life is all about perspective.