- Quality time spent between the parent and child is essential for emotional stability, self-confidence, and overall well-being.
- Parents should encourage kids to ask questions, explore the world, and participate in experiential learning opportunities to promote knowledge.
- Good health is also vital for children’s physical and mental development; this includes exercise, nutrition, sleep, and mental health.
- Social behavior is integral to growing up; parents should teach children respect, courtesy, kindness, and compassion to interact confidently with peers and adults.
Parents play a vital role in the growth and development of their children. As such, parents need to prioritize engagement to help their kids grow healthy and balanced.
Studies have shown that when parents are actively involved in their children’s lives, they gain an increased sense of self-esteem, better academic performance, and more positive behavior. Research has demonstrated that children with an engaged parent show up to 33% better academic performance than those without engagement from parents. Not only that, but they also demonstrate superior social skills, such as improved communication and problem-solving abilities.
Studies have also revealed that the amount of time a parent spends with their child is essential for proper development. Research has shown that children with more quality time with their parents demonstrate more excellent emotional stability, improved self-confidence, better decision-making skills, and better overall well-being. This type of involvement is associated with higher levels of psychological well-being for the child in the short and long term.
However, you might not know what constitutes being an involved and engaged parent. If you want to raise the bar, you can focus on these primary aspects:
Knowledge
Parents must engage children to foster their knowledge in academics and the world, which is essential for their holistic growth. When parents encourage their children to ask questions, seek answers and take the initiative in learning, they cultivate a sense of curiosity that can lead to academic success. Moreover, when they can provide exciting resources or activities that help kids explore the world around them, the development of soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving increases.
Fostering knowledge also means giving kids access to books and other materials to explore different cultures, customs, and languages. Reading fiction books can also help children develop empathy and literacy skills. Through this engagement, parents can guide how children interpret the world around them while allowing them room for personal opinion and exploration.
Encouraging experiential learning is one-way parents can promote knowledge within their children. Providing stimulating experiences such as field trips, visits to museums, or other educational events helps kids learn more about the world beyond what is taught in school curriculums. Additionally, encouraging hands-on activities such as cooking a dish from another culture or building a model helps increase interest in learning and teaches essential life skills like budgeting or planning.
Finally, engaging with children through conversations about current events allows them to understand more about society’s political and economic systems. It also gives parents a chance to impart values related to social justice issues such as gender equality or environmentalism by providing examples of real people who are contributing positively towards these causes. Through this kind of dialogue, kids understand how interconnected all aspects of life are, which gives them the necessary context when making decisions in the future.
Health
Parents are responsible for their children’s physical and mental health. To promote good health and well-being, parents should ensure that kids are getting enough of the following factors:
Physical exercise
A kid must develop an active lifestyle from a young age, and parents should foster this habit. Research suggests that physical activity can help improve mental health, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. Encouraging kids to participate in sports or outdoor activities helps keep them fit and teaches them teamwork skills and the importance of setting goals. If movement is vital, enroll your kid in fun toddler jumping activities like sensory play areas.
Nutrition
Parents must ensure their children get nutritious meals and healthy food choices. This means limiting fast food, sugary snacks, and processed foods as much as possible. Serving fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for proper nutrition while helping children avoid unhealthy cravings that are detrimental to their physical development. It’s also necessary to provide enough water throughout the day so they can stay hydrated.
Rest
Proper sleep helps children recharge, enhances concentration and focus, and contributes to a healthier lifestyle. Parents must ensure that their kids sleep for the recommended eight hours per night by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. They can also limit screen time during the day to promote good sleep hygiene.
Mental health
Parents need to provide support when their children face emotional or mental issues. Listening without judgment is essential; it’s also important not to trivialize their struggles with statements like “it will get better.” Instead of providing advice, it’s best if parents validate their child’s feelings by acknowledging and empathizing with them.
Social Behavior
Children will constantly be exposed to different social environments. Parents must ensure their kids possess the skills to interact with peers and adults successfully. Teaching children the value of respect, courtesy, kindness, and compassion helps them build confidence, empathy, and understanding toward others.
There is a chance that children might not understand the importance of social behavior. In that case, parents need to provide examples and talk about real-life situations where these skills can be applied.
Final Thoughts
Engaging your kids and actively involved in their lives is essential for healthy development. As a parent, it’s crucial to prioritize the abovementioned aspects and provide them with the necessary guidance to become responsible, successful adults. With an engaged parent, children can access activities that foster holistic growth while allowing them to explore beyond their comfort zone.
