The Parenting Skills to Support Healthy Childhood Development
There’s no how-to to on parenting, and it can be a challenge to offer the most supportive and caring environment for children to grow and learn in a healthy manner. As we say in all our ParentZone programs, children are unique, just like adults, and there’s no foolproof strategy for every kid. However, there are key skills that competent parents have, which may help you recognise areas that professionals have found useful.
Key Skills
Empathy and the needs of others
If a child grows up to observe behaviours based on selfish needs, they will mirror this. It can be easy to reward children for being polite, or for offering a child their toy, but these rewards can lead to good deeds motivated by their own gain. However, if children can learn the impact their behaviours have on others, recognise the good feelings that come with caring for people, they will grow to be more empathetic in personal and professional settings. It’s good to discuss how a child’s actions have impacted another person, and how that impact has made the child feel.
Life skills
It’s easy to want to look after your child and protect them from the complexities of adulthood – but children can sometimes become complacent and miss the critical learning years to understand the world outside of their bubble. Assign them chores and tasks that they will need to do on their own (if the child can see how that chore impacts them even better) and offer them smaller responsibilities, like budgeting money, in a safe and supportive environment.
Social and relationship skills
Humans are an inherently social species and managing relationships and social interactions is essential to thriving as an adult. It is easy for children to fear social interactions or lack the understanding of developing mutually respectful relationships. You can teach these skills by being a great role model, but also by developing their empathy, autonomy, and creating safe, supportive situations that help them learn the importance of how they interact with the outside world.
Positive reinforcement over negative punishment
If you regularly discipline or recognise negative behaviours your child may begin to only understand behavioural expectations in the lens of fear of punishment. This could then mean your child feels anxious about their behaviours, and rather than motivate good behaviour, could just lead to children hiding poor behaviours. If your child sees the benefits of doing good things, they will regularly look for these opportunities.
Responsibility and autonomy
Eventually your child will be introduced to the adult world and setting them up for autonomy and responsibility early on will prevent them from struggling in the future. It also builds a respectful relationship. Your child will value the trust you have in letting them make their own decisions and understanding the consequences at their own pace.
Safety
Finally, all parenting skills and teachings must be utilised in the safest possible environment. As a parent you have a tremendous opportunity to teach and to help your child grow, using positive affirmation and a trusting, equal relationship.
Anglicare Victoria provides free parenting groups, workshops, resources, and training for parents across Victoria. Our skilled and experienced facilitators tailor the sessions to meet the interests of each group. ParentZone programs cater to all ages and stages, from babies to young adults. Programs address the stages and challenges faced by parents including family violence, mental health, technology and school attendance.
If you are looking for support in parenting, please reach out to Anglicare Victoria on 1800 809 722. Or why not attend a ParentZone program or course? See Parenting courses and programs here.
