Description

A Cracked Foundation: How Virtual Parenting is Destroying Children

Overview

As parents connect more and more to technology, they are disconnecting from their children at a rapid pace. The result is an unprecedented escalation of attachment disorders, posing new and challenging behaviors for teachers and therapists. Disconnection from self, others, nature and spirit is resulting in child mental health and behavior disorders that are readily being diagnosed and medicated. As attachment disorders are the underlying causal factor for addictions, and child technology use patterns follow that of their parent, many of today’s “detached” families also have complex addictions that the education and health systems are only beginning to detect, much less understand. As one in six children are currently diagnosed with a mental illness, it is imperative for all people who work with children to understand healthy attachment formation, so they will be prepared to provide children with the critical elements they need to grow and succeed. Fragmented, frazzled and far too busy, 21st century families are struggling to survive, leaving behind in their wake children who are unable to self-regulate, pay attention and learn. As the dining room table is increasingly replaced by the big screen, and family conversation becomes non-existent, the foundations for child development are finally beginning to crack.

Goals

A Cracked Foundation profiles how attachment formation is an underlying causal factor for the recent rise in child mental illness and addiction, and offers education and health professionals much needed information on how to address and promote healthy attachment formation in children and parents.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate the impact of technology on attachment formation
• Identify three types of attachment disorders
• Identify critical factors for healthy attachment development
• Apply techniques to improve attachment in home, school and clinic settings