Invest in Kids - For Parents - What the Experts Say

THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF PARENTING

Building self-esteem:
	Value each child's uniqueness.
	Notice and respond to good behaviour, small improvements and special abilities.
	Provide comfort to children when they feel hurt, upset or in danger.
	Structure situations to help children experience feelings of success.
	Help children cope with failure.
Building personal skills:
	Children have so much to learn. Encourage all areas of development:
	- Gross motor: rolling, sitting up, walking, running, skipping
	- Fine motor: grasping, handling small pieces, building
	- Self-help: toileting, eating
	- Social: relating to others
	- Emotional: handling emotions
	- Intellectual: thinking, creating and problem-solving
	- Language: communicating to and understanding others
	Be a sensitive teacher. Try not to overwhelm a child with too much at once.
	Follow the child's lead. Most opportunities for learning occur naturally.
	Encourage pretend play. It builds imagination and helps children practice their new skills.
	Provide expectations about when, where and how to use these skills to meet the expectations of your home and those of your community, too.
Building good behaviour:
	Draw up a short list of "bottom-line" rules.
	Give reasons for the rules to help children understand their importance.
	Provide a united front with other caregivers about the rules.
	Be flexible in some areas, and let the child express his/her views around it.
Building joy:
	Give each child special individual time.
	Smile frequently. It enhances brain development!
	Find activities you and your child enjoy together.
	Remember, ordinary daily activities, like walks and reading at bedtime, are as important as special trips and holidays.
	Create and keep alive good, warm memories through family traditions, photos, special events and doing things together.

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