1. What is Parenting? 1-31-08

2. Bell Ringer Bell ringer: When making the decision to have children, what are four things a parent must take into account? 1. Understanding what parenthood means. 2. Emotional maturity- is are they capable of handling the changes that parenthood brings.

3. 3. Desire for parenthood- having a child doesn’t solve other problems. Usually it amplifies them. 4. Health- good nutrition before pregnancy, during, and after pregnancy. Most teens and young women don’t get enough folic acid, iron, and/or calcium when they eat.

4. Parenting  Parenting- caring for children and helping them develop- is complicated.  It requires understanding a child’s needs and meeting those needs.  It also demands good judgment in three areas:

5. Parenting continued  Parenting requires knowing when to help and when to back off so that a child can do things on his/her own.  Parents need to avoid pushing children to try activities they are not developmentally ready for. On the other hand, they do not need to hold them back.  Parents must adapt their parenting skills at each stage of a child’s development.

6. Reasonable Expectations  Children usually do act their age.  However, adults don’t always know what to expect.  That’s why understanding child development is so important to new parents.  Caregivers/parents need to match their expectations to each individual child.

7. Parenting Styles- Authoritarian  Based on the idea that children should obey their parents without question.  A parent tells their child what to do and expects the child to do it.  When the rules are broken, parents usually act quickly and firmly.

8. Parenting Styles- Democratic  In this style, children are given some independence.  Parents that use this style also give their children input on the rules and limits.  Occasionally, the children are even allowed to decide on the consequences for their misbehaviors.

9. Parenting Styles- Permissive  Children have a wide range of freedom.  Parents often act as a friend instead of the parent.  In this style, children may set their own rules.

10. Activity  Scenarios

11. The Tasks of Parenting  There are three basic tasks to parenting: 1. Meeting the child’s basic needs 2. Nurture the child 3. Guide the child to show appropriate behavior

12. Meeting Children’s Needs  It is a parent’s responsibility to meet the following needs: 1. Provide them with food, clothing, and shelter 2. Watch over their safety and health 3. Begin teaching them language

13. Meeting Children’s Needs Continued 4. Foster intellectual growth by taking an active roll in the child’s schooling 5. Teach them interpersonal skills 6. Provide opportunities to love and be loved

14. Nurturing  Nurturing means giving a child encouragement and enrichment.  Parents are a child’s first teacher.  Children learn by exploring their surroundings, trying new things, and imitating others.  Adults should remove as many barriers as possible that would prevent their child from exploring on their own.

15. Nurturing Continued  Unfortunately, some parents do not encourage their children.  They suffer from deprivation, which is when children lack exposure to an enriching environment.  A deprived child might miss his/her window of opportunity for certain types of development.

16. Nurturing Continued  The other part of nurturing is providing love and support.

17. Discussion  Children need love as much as they need food and a bed to sleep in.

18. Communication  Having good communication is key to good parenting.  The way you talk to a child is equally important.  Techniques for good communication: Use age appropriate words Be clear Be positive and polite Give praise and love Limit direction to those that are essential Talk about what is meaningful to the child

19. Review  What are the three parenting styles?  What are the four things parents should consider before having children?  What are the three basic tasks of parenting?