The Village Engagement Matrix
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
I was once an acorn who grew into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™.
Then, I had the great honor of having my own acorn and the privilege of watching him grow from infancy into a young adult who contributes positively to his community.
My acorn is on the autism spectrum and was nonverbal until nearly five years old.
He is now an oak tree who finished his first semester in college with a 4.0, marched in the marching band, and established meaningful relationships on his university’s campus.
As a researcher, I studied and recorded his development every step of the way.
My child became my living case study.
I studied his longitudinal development through the lens of intentional parenting, identity development, and the role of a Top-Notch Village™.
From those observations and findings, I developed the Village Engagement Matrix™.
The Village Engagement Matrix™ uses the acorn to oak tree metaphor to describe the stages of development from infancy into young adulthood related to identity formation, responsibility, confidence, self-awareness, decision-making, self-advocacy, and the preparedness to contribute positively to society.
When intentional parenting is paired with the support of a Top-Notch Village™, children have the opportunity to grow through each stage with identity, confidence, responsibility, and purpose.
The Stages:
🌱Acorn: Birth to 2 years old
The child begins developing trust, attachment, safety, and connection to the people and world around them.
🌱Sprout: 2 to 4 years old
The child begins exploring identity, preferences, communication, relationships, and growing independence.
🌿Seedling: Pre-K through 2nd grade
The child begins building confidence, emotional awareness, problem-solving skills, and early responsibility.
🌿Sapling: 3rd through 7th grade
The child begins strengthening identity, self-awareness, independence, resilience, and decision-making.
🌳Young Tree: 8th through 12th grade
The young person begins developing self-advocacy, leadership, future planning, and greater ownership of their life and choices.
🌳Oak Tree: Young Adulthood
The young adult continues growing into the fullest expression of who they are while contributing positively to their community and society.
With consistent and intentional support, guidance, protection, and high-quality engagement from the adults who have been entrusted with their care, children have the opportunity to successfully develop and grow through these stages.
The goal is not to simply raise children.
The goal is to identify and harness the greatness within children and help them grow into Mighty Mighty Oak Trees™ who move through the world with self-knowingness, purpose, and the ability to positively contribute to society.
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