In the passage below, a child is represented by ‘she’ in the first paragraph and by ‘he’ in the second. Is there any meaning about this? Isn’t this incoherent?
Imitation is your young child’s way of learning how to interact with others and behave in the world she lives in. She watches your behavior, and you’ve probably been surprised to hear phrases come out of her mouth that only you say, or similar gestures or preferences. Developmental psychologists have always emphasized the fact that children model their behavior after their parents’ and caregivers’ behavior. This is a great opportunity for you to exhibit positive behaviors for your child. If you’ve seen your daycare or preschool teachers in action, you may have picked up a few tips! Most childcare providers find that modeling positive behavior is second nature.
Even on their toughest days, in the most challenging of scenarios, childcare providers show respect to the children they care for. They make a point to show each child that they are listening to their concerns, and that they understand their desires and motivations. This may not always mean that a child gets what he wants in the end, but he will have the sense that his caregiver respects his feelings, and he’ll make an effort as he gets older to listen to others, feel empathy for them, and show them respect. Preschool and daycare teachers also make a point to acknowledge their mistakes. If an apology is in order, it is offered. This teaches kids that making a mistake is OK, that it happens to everyone, and that the important thing is to acknowledge mistakes and apologize and make things right if possible.
Koji from Japan Is there any meaning about this? meaning "to" or "in" No. The writer alternates sexes to avoid the traditional generic "he" that has come to be regarded as sexist in some circles.
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Koji from Japan Is there any meaning about this?
meaning "to" or "in"
No. The writer alternates sexes to avoid the traditional generic "he" that has come to be regarded as sexist in some circles. It is actually a pretty elegant solution, better than the too-convenient "they" and much better than the absurd "he or she".
Koji from J