Foundational Elements of Identity
     Parents establish the foundation for identity formation through parenting practices that support growth in personal security, autonomy, initiative, and industry. Teachers contribute to growth in identity and positive self-esteem when their interaction, classroom practices and teaching strategies provide student exercise in those same foundational elements. Establishing a sound foundation for psycho-social development is fundamental for the ongoing whole-person formation of a child. Security means that the child has a sense of trust, safety and confidence that his needs will receive predictable response from the significant people in his life. Autonomy means that the child demonstrates a sense of healthful independence, inner authority, and the capability of making appropriate decisions for herself. Initiative involves a sense of interior motivation and the ability to originate plans and conquer tasks. Industry implies that the child follows through, is diligent, and has a systematic approach to tasks and responsibilities. Where does this work of psycho-social development begin? How can parents provide for the whole-person formation of their child? How can the School help parents to set the foundation of psycho-social development in their child and then maintain it in age-appropriate ways? What practices does the school employ to foster the development of the children entrusted to it, particularly practices which, when misinterpreted or misunderstood by some school parents, can lead to a build up of adversarial attitudes between teachers and parents? These questions give direction to the work of Formative Support Services.

     Recognizing both the role of parents as their children's primary educators as well as the place of psychology in the rearing of children, parents are advised to use modern psychology and knowledge of child development to foster holistic development. A body of scholars from the psychological community (Adler, Coopersmith, Dinkmeyer, Dreikurs, Erikson, Havighurst, and Lickona) suggests that the child-rearing practices most needed to establish a sound foundation for psycho-social development relate to developing a child's senses of security, autonomy, initiative and industry. While each element has an initial focus time for development in the life of the child, each characteristic needs continual development in age-appropriate ways throughout the elementary school years. It is important to continue developing the focus points of previous stages. A child's sense of identity, which will carry him or her through adult life, depends upon a healthy foundation of security, autonomy, initiative and industry. How can parents and teachers recognize which foundation characteristic needs attention and what practices would best address the need? These questions are addressed and practical parent practices are suggested in the work of Formative Parenting Support Services.