Raising Healthy Children – Unit 1 Review Based on notes and text

What did we learn in Unit 1? - Why should we study parenting in today’s world? -How is good parenting important for a strong society? - What are the rewards associated with parenting? -What are the basic responsibilities of parenting? -How does learning about parenting help those people who aren’t parents? Parenting Terms: Nurture, Parenting, Potential, Values

-Is parenting ‘instinctive’? -Does parenting come naturally? - What do you learn when you study ‘parenting’?

Parenting education…  You learn how to provide the care and guidance that can lead to a child’s total healthful development  Family structure have changed, there aren’t many multi-generational families living together anymore  Families are isolated from each other  Parenting education can help fill the void that has been left due to shifts in family structure, and resulting isolation

 Parents are responsible for guiding their children.  With proper guidance, children can learn manners, and other people will want to be around them.  Parents use their own values to guide children. Values are ideas about what is important.  By learning to communicate well with children, and by learning how to direct behavior effectively, parents guide children more easily.

How is the world changing today?  There are MORE options for children:  Options are brought about by:  1 - TECHNOLOGY – Technology is available for children to explore (video games, social media, movies, tablets, etc.);  This is relatively new!  Parents must ensure that technology is being used safely and appropriately.

 2 - TOYS AND ACTIVITIES :  More options are brought about by toys and activities.  Children have toys, equipment, games… that adults never had.  There are MANY teams, activities, clubs, that children can join.  Parents must be able to achieve balance for their children

 3 - DECISION FOR PARENTS:  As a result of all the options, parents have to make MANY decisions for their children.  The more options children have, the more decisions parents have to make for their children.  Parents must be able to make informed decisions about their children

The world is changing with respect to the influences on children.  Today’s parents have to guide children through many challenging situations  All families have problems – parents have to guide their children through these problems  Solutions for parents can be found through parenting education

Parenting education…  Will help us build a strong society  - all buildings are constructed on a foundation  -the better the foundation, the stronger the house  When we care for all families, we build a strong society

So… parenting education:  Helps us increase knowledge and resources;  Helps parents cope with the ever-changing world;  Helps us build a strong society – by putting families first  All families are impacted negatively when some families are in peril  Crime, violence – can lead to other problems  All of society suffers when one (or more) family is suffering

Looking for solutions…  The best solutions for families who are suffering come from home –  Parents who are skillful and knowledgeable have the best chance at raising healthy families  If society wants healthy families, steps have to be taken to produce them!  Parenting education increases the skills that parents might already have.

What are some rewards of parenting?  A youthful perspective – Parents can look at life from the lens of a child  This provides adults with joy.  Emotional fulfillment – The love of a child warms one’s heart.  Family continuation – Raising children give parents happiness in knowing that their family will continue. If your children become good parents, you will achieve great joy.

 Personal growth – People who learn good parenting skills are rewarded with personal growth.  Putting children first involves self-sacrifice – putting others’ first.  Parents can learn more about themselves and their own thinking through their children.

Meeting parenting responsibilities  Children have the right to be nurtured, protected, taught and guided.  Parents must meet these responsibilities!  Nurturing: encourage growth and development  Reaching potential: Potential is what every child CAN become. The potential of each child relies heavily on parenting skills.

 Parents need to meet protect their children. This is another responsibility.  As children grow and develop, children need less protecting from physical dangers.  Adults need to teach their ch ildren how to think creatively, and to problem- solve.

Who can use parenting education skills (other than parents)?  Babysitters  Careers that involve children/youth  Volunteers  Friends and neighbours  Anyone in relationships

You can develop parenting skills by:  1 – through information  2 – through practice  This course will provide you with information. But you also need opportunities to practice the information!

Society is the sum of the parts…  By learning more about how to be a good parent, you are contributing to the health of the whole society.  Be a part of the solution!

Rank  5 possible rewards of parenting:  A youthful perspective, emotional fulfillment, family continuation, personal growth, a sense of pride  4 basis responsibilities of parents:  Nurturing children, protecting children, teaching children, teaching children, guiding children