Parenting Expert Addresses Early Childhood Development & Future Impact

An inclination towards crime and violence never starts at birth; it is created and developed as the years go by. That is the message that drives the work of Sally Goldberg, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Sally, who is alarmed at the rising tide of violence throughout the country – particularly by young offenders. Early childhood is the most critical formative time, she states, and every minute of proper parenting counts, right from the start, to guide the next generation toward excellence and away from violence and other maladies. And while there is a wealth of information available to parents about developmental activities geared towards babies, toddlers, and preschoolers – including valuable information provided by Goldberg herself – she maintains that it is education, programs, and support for parents themselves, starting from the birth of their children and continuing through the first years of parenthood, that make the difference. The crucial key is teaching them how to establish strong positive parent-child relationships. The positive connections formed at that time, in turn, provide the needed positive input that correlates with children who develop their own positive relationships and are successful in school and later in life, according to multiple studies.

Goldberg’s longtime mission of parental education and support has taken on a laser focus with the increase of violence involving children, particularly recent incidents of gun violence. “Infancy and early childhood are the formative time and every minute of connective, positive parenting counts, right from the start,” Goldberg notes. “There is not a moment to waste when it comes to ending violence before it begins. Providing universal early parenting education and support, particularly for new and young parents, offers the solution.”

Goldberg points to research studies that found it was not negative influences faced by teens and young adults that were at the core of the crimes and violence they eventually committed. It was primarily what happened to them as children during their first three years, when they were sorely lacking attention in the areas of nurturing love, guidance, support, protection, and educational stimulation. Other studies have highlighted the successes of communities that had been ridden with crime and violence, but turned the situation around by investing time, money, and energy to support new parents, ultimately leading to a generation of more positive and productive youth.

“No baby was ever meant to end up at age 18 shooting up a school, movie theater, or shopping center,” Goldberg explains. “Providing preschool opportunities is one thing, but it’s also too late to accomplish the task that is needed now to head off future tragedy and stem the growing violence. The most important development happens in the first three years. Legislation for early parenting holds the real power. We must do what we can to help all parents as they go through these very exciting, yet equally difficult, times. Confident parenting saves lives.”

Goldberg is now dedicated to informing parents and the community at large about early childhood development as the key to solving many future adult problems and that parents, who do what she considers “America’s top job” during those years, have the power to change many things for their own children and for the world around them. Her mission is to share that message through her website, books, classes, columns, and speaking engagements throughout the community to parents and caregivers as well as various media outlets, organizations, schools, childcare facilities, and other professionals. She is also an instructor at the Community Center in Fountain Hills, AZ, where she offers ongoing classes throughout the year on different topics related to the early years of parenthood/childhood and how important they are for later life development.

“Teaching parents about their strengths and how to use them should be the new focus for our educational attention,” she says. “I have been studying this for years and have unique insights into how to avoid many of the pitfalls that parents are faced with today. For instance, parental bonding and attachment got lost in the shuffle during COVID and that caused a lot of problems that are showing up now. For babies, toddlers, and two-year-olds, seeing masks and experiencing social isolation caused delays of all kinds: learning, motor skills, social experiences, and, most impactful of all, self-esteem development. Even the recent publicity about the shortage of formula showed a lack of understanding about the hit that new parents took for building their first and most important parent-child relationship by feeding their babies. It is interpersonal experiences that make the difference. People are a product of them. The more positive and productive experiences are, the more positive and productive the person will be. Experiences, both big and small, take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and every year. There is no break. Every minute is important. While every child is deserving of having the finest interpersonal experiences, every parent deserves to know how to provide them. Learning positive foundation tools now will help children grow and develop well for the rest of their lives.”

Goldberg invites inquiries for guest speaking appearances, presentations, classes, and guest column opportunities to reach parents, educators, and caregivers throughout the community with her important message. To learn more, contact Sally Goldberg at https://www.earlychildhoodnews.net/contact-us/ or drsallyinarizona@gmail.com.

About Sally Goldberg, Ph.D.

A professor of education, parenting book author, and founder of Parenting with Dr. Sally, Arizona resident Sally Goldberg, Ph.D. was the first parenting expert to appear on “Parent to Parent,” a FOX TV Channel 7 weekly news segment. A prolific writer, she has been published in a multitude of magazines and newspapers across the country. Her regular columns have appeared in Florida Wise, Florida Baby, Today’s Parent, and Viewpointe and her unique, logical, and down-to-earth advice has been quoted in numerous publications, including Parent’s Magazine and American Baby. Consumer Reports featured her concepts in two major editions of Best Baby Products.

Dr. Sally has worked for many years as an instructor of early childhood education on the adjunct faculties of Nova Southeastern University, Barry University, and the University of Phoenix, as well as community parenting programs. Well-known for her tools and strategies for self-esteem development, she is a national conference presenter and a frequent guest on TV and radio.

With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the University of Miami, she is the author of seven popular parenting books. Her website at www.earlychildhoodnews.net offers ongoing information and advice on important issues of parenting and early child development, including guidance for parents of children with autism and other challenges who may need extra attention and support.

“New parents today are becoming disconnected from their young children in many ways for many reasons,” Goldberg states. “My work is designed to help them build their bond and attachment once again. Parenting is “America’s Top Job,” and all parents should be taught how to do it “right” from the start.