Frankie’s story: Early experiences matter

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Sometimes we see developmental advances in a child so dramatic, so spectacular, that we have difficulty accepting the idea that ordinary growth processes are at work. The increments are too great; the direction of change has rotated 90 or 180 degrees. At such times, we find ourselves proclaiming (or mumbling, if we don't want to offend our more scientifically rigid colleagues), "It's a developmental miracle." During my many years in early childhood, I have witnessed and even participated in several such experiences. It is no exaggeration to claim that, sometimes, memories of them have kept me going when cynicism and pessimism threatened to overpower my convictions and actions. None has been more dramatic or more heartwarming than the one from many years ago that I am about to tell. I call it simply "Frankie's Story."

Background

In 1953, my husband went into the army and was immediately sent to Korea. All alone ...