Published: September 05, 2008 02:04 pm            

Tips for good parenting

The following are ten easy parenting tips that any parent can use with their young children.



Be warm, loving, and responsive.

When children receive warm, responsive care, they are more likely to feel safe and secure with the adults who take care of them.

Respond to your child’s cues and clues.

Recognize and respond to the sounds, movements, and expressions that your child makes. Talk to your baby all the time.

Talk, read, and sing to your child.

All of these interactions help your child’s brain make the connections it needs for growth and later learning. Begin in infancy.



Establish routines and rituals.

Routines give children a sense of security and are reassuring. Routines can also make bedtime or naptime easier. Your child looks forward to that song you sing or book you share before sleeping.



Encourage safe exploration and play.

As infants grow, they need to explore their world. Children actually learn through playing.



Make TV watching selective.

Watch television with your child, and talk about what you are viewing. Do not use TV as a baby-sitter.

Use discipline as an opportunity to teach.

In addition to consistent and loving adult supervision, teach your child limits. Discipline is an essential part of good parenting. Be firm but loving, but do not physically hurt or shake your child.



Recognize that each child is unique.

Children grow at different rates. Their ideas and feelings reflect parents’ and caregivers’ attitudes toward them. One child may be very outgoing. Another child may be shy and slow to warm up to new situations.



Choose quality child care and stay involved.

Visit your child care provider often and seek someone who responds warmly and responsively to your child’s needs in an individual way. Find a setting that is clean and safe. Make sure there are enough staff people for the number of children there. Carefully check the provider’s references.



Take care of yourself.

Parents need care, too. When you are tired or overwhelmed, you may have a harder time meeting the needs of your young children. Take time to relax (read a book, go for a walk, sit quietly) each day – if only for 10 to 15 minutes. Find someone who can help take care of your child (a family member, friend, or child care provider) so you can get some time for yourself to rejuvenate. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish – it’s one of the best things you can do for your child!



Tom Bartley is a retired educator and currently is the Director of Success By 6 at the Family Support Council, 1529 Waring Road. He can be reached at P.O. Box 1707, Dalton, GA 30722; fax # 706-275-6542; or HYPERLINK "mailto:successby6@email.com" successby6@email.com. For a copy of this article and more information about The Family Support Council, visit www.familysupportcouncil.org.

        

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