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Principles for
Transforming the Lives of Children
(abridged)
© 2001 by the Alliance for
Transforming the Lives of Children
Permission granted to freely reproduce in whole or in part with complete
attribution.
| aTLC's Philosophy |
| Children are innately good,
cooperative, and whole in spirit. Parents do the best they can at any
given moment, within their present situation and life circumstances.
Agreement on a set of guiding principles by all family members
promotes enjoyable, confident parenting and provides children with a
consistent, supportive environment. |
aTLC offers the following evidence-linked Principles for promoting
optimal human development. Our deep concern for children and parents is
woven into each Principle. We invite you to ponder these Principles to
motivate and inspire you. We encourage you to recognize and follow your
intuitive knowledge and instincts. Our intent is to help you co-create with
children a life that is practical, harmonious, and joyful.
- All children are born with inherent physical, emotional, intellectual,
and spiritual needs that, when met, foster optimal human development.
- Every child needs to be securely bonded with at least one other
person—optimally the mother.
- All children are by nature social beings, born with the drive to play,
learn, cooperate with others, and contribute to their world.
- Each child carries within a unique pattern of development designed to
unfold in accordance with the child's own rhythm and pace.
- Young children communicate their needs through behavior that is
strongly influenced by innate temperament, early experiences, the behavior
modeled by others, and current circumstances.
- The ability of parents and caregivers to nurture children is strongly
influenced by their own birth, childhood, and life experiences.
- Children depend upon their parents and caregivers to keep them safe
and to protect them from emotional and physical neglect, violence, sexual
abuse, and other toxic conditions.
- A child who is nurtured in the womb of a healthy, loving, and tranquil
mother receives the best possible start in life.
- A natural birth affords significant benefits to mother and baby;
therefore, both the potential benefits and risks of any intervention
warrant careful consideration.
- Breastfeeding, continual physical contact, and being carried on the
body are necessary for optimal brain and immune system development, and
promote the long-term health of the baby and mother.
- A father's consistent, meaningful, and loving presence in a child's
life is significant to the child, father, mother, and the wellbeing of the
family.
- Parents create a strong foundation for family life when they
consciously conceive, foster, or adopt a child, and are committed to
understand and meet the child's needs
- Single parents have a special need for a strong emotional and
financial support system to effectively nurture their children.
- Political, economic, and social structures either enhance or diminish
parents' opportunities to nurture and sustain a secure bond with their
children.
- When children live in socially responsive families and communities,
they receive a foundation for becoming socially responsible themselves.
- Effective parenting is an art that can be learned.
By implementing these Principles through
Actions such as those suggested
in the aTLC
Blueprint,
societies can transform themselves into dynamic, life-honoring cultures
where children are loved, protected, respected, valued, and encouraged to
joyfully participate in the vital life of family and community.
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"The most important thing a
father can do for his children is to love their mother."
~Theodore Hesburgh |
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Links to aTLC core documents and extracts
Proclamation
Blueprint of
Principles and Actions (complete)
Frequently asked
questions about the Blueprint and Proclamation
Download
printer-friendly (PDF) versions of the all items listed above—10 pages.
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You can get printed copies of the Proclamation and Blueprint by sending
$2 and a SASE to:
The Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children
901 Preston Ave, Suite 400
Charlottesville, VA 22903
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