In psychology, the term “blank slate,” or tabula rasa, actually has two meanings. The first refers to a belief that at birth, all humans are born with the ability to become literally anything or anyone. This belief downplays the effects of genetics and biology on the development of the human personality.

According to blank slate theory, the mind is completely blank at birth. From there, education, environment, and experiences – which are external, as well as material and/or immaterial – shape the child’s process of development. This leaves a lasting effect on who they become.

John Locke

Violence and Abuse. Violence and abuse are among the most disconcerting of the challenges that today’s families face. Abuse can occur between spouses, between parent and child, as well as between other family members.

A new and revolutionary emphasis on the tabula rasa occurred late in the 17th century, when the English empiricist John Locke, in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), argued for the mind’s initial resemblance to “white paper, void of all characters,” with “all the materials of reason and knowledge” derived …

I, 2. In Locke’s philosophy, tabula rasa was the theory that at birth the (human) mind is a “blank slate” without rules for processing data, and that data is added and rules for processing are formed solely by one’s sensory experiences.

tabula (plural tabulae or (archaic) tabulæ) A plate or frame on which a title or inscription is carved. A table, index, or list of data. A legal record. A writing-tablet, slate, or similar medium on which to write.

Babies are not born a blank slate. Many parts of personality, or temperament, are inborn. Characteristics such as sociability, activity level, and stress response seem to be part of our personalities from birth.

: someone or something that is still in an original state and that has not yet been changed by people, experiences, etc. : something that does not show or express anything. See the full definition for blank slate in the English Language Learners Dictionary.

A new start; especially to make a new start by clearing the record. This phrase comes from the use of chalk and slates in classrooms in the past.

start (off) with a clean slate Fig. to start out again afresh; to ignore the past and start over again. I plowed under all last year’s flowers so I could start with a clean slate next spring.

1 : a piece of construction material (such as laminated rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding. 2 : a dense fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments (such as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic cleavage. 3 : a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on.

When mopping slate floors, you can use a slate cleaner, mild laundry detergent, or mild dish soap. We suggest you use a commercial product to ensure your floors are protected and for optimal results. You can also use a pH-neutral product. Use warm water and mix in a quarter cup of detergent or dish soap.

Wipe down the slate with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris before polishing. Allow the slate to air dry completely. Squirt a few drops of teak oil, WD40 or olive oil onto a clean, dry cloth.

To keep your slate floors looking their very best… Never use acidic cleaners such as vinegar, which can damage and discolor the stone. Avoid scrub brushes with stiff or metal bristles that may scratch the flooring. Use clean tools (mop, sponges, etc.)

• Which is the best sealer for Slate? VISIT.
• Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer. Deepshield™ Transparent Sealer provides an invisible natural look, whilst protecting the surface of your slate tiles from both water and oil based contaminants.
• Deepshield™ Color Enhancing Penetrating Sealer.

Like most other natural stones, slate tile flooring requires sealing to aid in water repellency and prevent staining and scratching, and sealer should be applied on a yearly basis.

Test your slate to see if it is porous by pouring water on its surface. If the water leaves a dark area after 10 minutes, your slate needs to be sealed. If the stone does not change color, it does not require sealing.

Type of Cleaner Clean slate tiles will have a natural shine, so before using a product specially for creating shine, just give your slate a good scrubbing. The best cleaners for slate tiles are ones that have no acid in them as do lemon juice, vinegar, and ammonia.