Human Development: Prenatal-Toddler Effective Parenting Skills

Meeting Children’s Needs Parents often must put their own needs aside to take care of their children. All children are different, with individual characteristics and needs. Physical Needs. Emotional and Social Needs. Intellectual Needs.

Physical Needs The most important and obvious task of parenthood is meeting children’s basic physical needs. Parents are also responsible for the health and safety of their children. Schedule regular health checkups and provide care when children are sick or hurt.

Emotional and Social Needs A major parenting goal is to raise children who will become happy, independent adults who can support themselves. Children need to learn how to function in the world and get along with others. Children learn these relationships with people who nurture them.

Intellectual Needs With parents as their first teachers, children begin learning at birth. Researchers have found that children undergo tremendous growth during a child’s first years. Parents can nurture their child by providing them with enriching activities.

Parenting Styles Parenting Styles: how parents and other caregivers care for and discipline children. Authoritarian: Assertive-Democratic: Permissive:

Understanding Guidance Guiding Children’s behavior can be both the hardest and most rewarding task of parenting. Guidance: using firmness understanding to help children learn to behave. Self-discipline: the ability to control their own behavior. Conscience: inner sense of what is right.

Being a Role Model Children are great imitators. They learn best by being show what to do rather than by simply being told what to do. Children consistently watch those around them and then imitate the behaviors they see.

Setting Limits Setting limits is another way to guide children toward appropriate, safe behavior. Children need limits to grow into responsible adults. Setting limits help them understand their behavior and actions. Does the limit allow the child to learn, explore and grow? Is the limit fair and appropriate for the child’s age? Does the limit benefit the child or is it merely for the adult’s convenience?

Positive Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement: a response that encourages a particular behavior. Be specific Comment to the behavior as soon as possible. Recognize small steps. Help children take pride in their actions. Tailor the encouragement to the needs of the child. Use positive reinforcement wisely.

Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior Is the expected behavior appropriate, given the child’s age and development? Does the child understand that the behavior was wrong? Did the child do the behavior knowingly and deliberately, or was it beyond the child’s control? Unintentional Misbehavior Misbehavior is unintentional if the child had no way of knowing it was wrong. Using Punishment Effectively By guiding children’s behavior, parents and other caregivers are more likely to teach a child acceptable behavior.

Negative Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement: a response aimed at discouraging children from repeating an inappropriate or unacceptable behavior.

Poor Disciplinary Measures Natural Consequences Logical Consequences Loss of Privileges Time-Out Time-Out: a short period of time in which a child sits away from other people and the center of attention. Bribing. Making children promise to behave. Shouting or yelling. Shaming or belittling. Threatening to withhold love. Exaggerating the consequences.

Consistency in Guidance Consistency helps child know what is expected of them and what responses they can expect from parents. Becomes more important as more than one person is caring for a child.