Raising Happy Children: The Science Of Positive Parenting
The practice of raising a happy children involves a combination of strategies which foster a supportive and encouraging environment. Find below some evidence-based tips from the science of positive parenting:
1. Parents and caregivers should always recognize their children's emotions, helping them develop emotional intelligence and positive self-image.
2. Parents and caregivers should foster a growth mindset into their children. Encourage them to see challenges as opportunities for growth and expansion, promoting resilience and love for learning.
3. Parents and caregivers should praise children for every good behaviour to encourage them to produce more positive habits.
4. They should spend quality time with their children, engaging in activities which they enjoy, to strengthen their bond and create lasting memories.
5. According to Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, children learn by observing and imitating their parents and caregivers. Therefore, parents and caregivers should model positive behaviours for the children to emulate. They should teach the children empathy, kindness, and self-regulation in their personal lifestyles.
6. Teach your children problem-solving skills. Encourage them to think critically and develop problem-solving skills, promoting independence and self-confidence.
7. Provide a safe, supportive, and condusive environment that allows the children to feel secure and comfortable.
8. Encourage regular outdoor play to enable the child develop stronger bones and muscles (motor skills).
9. Teach the children to show gratitude for any single good thing they receive from anybody.
International agencies have given support to the science of positive parenting. For example, the UNICEF supports parenting programnes that promote positive parenting practices, such as emotionalize validation, positive reinforcement, and parental involvement. The UNICEF emphasizes the importance of early childhood development, including the role of positive parenting in shaping children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for parents and caregivers, emphasizing the importance of positive parenting practices, such as responding to children's needs, providing emotional support and promoting social skills. The WHO recognizes the role of positive parenting in promoting children's and adolescents' mental health, including reducing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed policies aimed at supporting parents and caregivers, including promoting positive parenting practices, such as parental leave, childcare support, and parenting education programmes. The OECD has also emphasized the importance of high quality early childhood education and care, which includes promoting positive parenting practices and supporting parents in their role as primary caregivers. The Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, and other international agencies, recognize the importance of positive parenting in preventing violence against children. Not only that, the International Society for the Prevention of of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) promotes positive parenting practices as a key strategy for preventing child abuse and neglect. The above international agencies support the science of positive parenting by:
1. Developing guidelines and policies that promote positive parenting practices,
2. Providing resources and support for parents and caregivers,
3. Conducting research and monitoring progress on positive parenting outcomes and,
4. Promoting positive parenting practices through public awareness campaigns creations and education programmes.
In summary, the science of positive parenting is a journey, not a destination. By embracing its lofty principles and practices, parents and caregivers can cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves, their children, and the world around them, leading to a more harmonious, loving, and fulfilling relationships that will last for a lifetime.
Please, kindly share with your friends and loved ones. Thank you very much.
Comments