Thanks for the article Neenee- a great read.
Limeslice, I can't agree with all that you have said and although people's circumstances vary, there are still some commonly held beliefs about children and socialisation.
[QUOTECharlotte needs to learn how to interact with other CHLDREN][/QUOTE] Yes she does eventually but she doesn't just now at her age. Your immediate family is fine- even if it is just you or your partner.
Yet I still recognise the need for her to be with other children and not just me all the time
What is wrong with being with 'just' you all of the time? This is actually all that she wants and needs at her age.
I feel it is important that she learn how to share and play with another child successfully very early
She will learn to share and play at the time that is right for her. this usually happens around the age of 3 or 4. Being made to do so any earlier is neither wise nor helpful to her development.
She really doesn't need interactions at this age- she really needs her mum to be around her. She will learn from you and how you interact in the supermarket, on the phone, at the bank etc more than from any other child.
Please don't think I am picking on you. It just really intrigues me why people put children into care for 'socialisation' reasons when childcare doesn't offer this to a child at this age. It is a real misunderstanding of the psychological needs of the child.