According to experts, prior to adolescence, a child’s primary influencer is his or her’s parents (or guardians.) There is no cognitive thinking of consequences. That part of the brain isn’t developed yet. There is simply, “Mommy said no,” or, “Daddy said stop,” or, “I touched the stove once and it was hot, so I better not touch it again.” Children are influenced by what we as parents require, demand, control, encourage, motivate, discipline, etc.
