Small changes
big differences
Positive
Parenting building strong
relationships
with your
children
positively.
The argument
• Parenting interventions are amongst the most
powerful and cost-effective tools to assist
children and their families.
• The single most important thing we can do to
prevent serious behavioural and emotional
problems and abuse of children is to increase
the confidence, skills and knowledge of parents
in the task of raising children.
The Need
•
Clinical services simply do not reach
enough parents to make any
difference.
•
Large numbers of children develop
behavioral and emotional problems
that are preventable
Different delivery
contexts
Primary
health care
Media
Schools
Specialist
services
Workplace
Principles of positive parenting
• Ensuring a safe, engaging environment
• Creating a positive learning environment
• Using assertive discipline
• Having realistic expectations
• Taking care of yourself as a parent
Parenting Skills
• Promoting positive relationships
– Brief quality time, talking to children, affection an love
• Encouraging desirable behaviour
– Praise, positive attention,
• Teaching new skills and behaviours
– Modelling, behaviour charts
• Managing misbehaviour
– Ground rules, directed discussion, , clear instructions,
logical reasoning , time-out
Help Wanted
• Must be willing to take responsibility for
health, safety, education, emotional wellbeing and social development.
• Guidelines not fully developed;
• Instructions not included.
No one in their right mind would apply for
this job.
And yet every year, millions of adults begin a
task that is long, difficult, sometimes scary -- but
always rewarding.
They become parents.
1. Appreciate the value of play: it is a
child's work.
Play can;
• prevent discipline problems,
• offer a natural way for children to learn, and,
• be essential in the formation of a positive
relationship between parent and child.
2. Talk with and listen to your child.
• It's important to make eye
contact when
communicating with your
child.
• Give clear and consistent
instructions -- but not too
many at once.
• Remember the importance
of non-verbal
communication, and
• Be sure to hold a child for
comfort or to share smiles
and hugs.
3. Build your child's brain and body.
• Provide healthy meals and snacks and model
good eating habits.
• Encourage exercise by being active with your
child and limiting time in front of the television or
playing video games.
• Support your child's efforts in school and
Provide opportunities to learn and explore by
visiting the library, museums, zoos and other
places of interest.
4. Be your child's first source of
information.
• Encouraging your children to ask questions now,
makes it easier for them to ask questions when
they are older.
• By answering questions from your child with
honesty and openness, you can create a
relationship of mutual trust and respect that can
prevent your child from developing unsafe habits
or taking unnecessary risks.
5. Learn how children develop and know
your unique child.
• When it comes to your child, the real expert is
you, the parent.
• Know all areas of your child's development -physical, intellectual, social, emotional and
moral -- and
• Remember there is nothing to be ashamed of if
your child needs special help to progress at his
or her own best rate.
6. Cherish your child's individuality.
• Support your child's interests and talents.
• Try to spend time alone with your children every
day.
• Praise your children's success and avoid
comparing them or asking why they can't be like
someone else.
7. Set your household up for success.
• Model and teach good safety habits and
establish routines.
• Discuss and enforce family rules that work for
your household -- for example, putting toys away
after play.
8. Take care of yourself.
• If you are tired, ill or just worn out, you cannot be
an effective parent.
• Get enough sleep,
• Take occasional breaks from parenting if
possible.
9. Make time for family activities
• A sense of belonging is
enhanced when
families take time to
engage in common
activities such as
having meals together
and sharing tasks and
responsibilities.
• Use family time to
discuss needs and
feelings, to solve
problems and promote
cooperation.
10. Teach your child right from wrong.
• A child's understanding of right and wrong
develops slowly.
• Actively teach your children a code of moral
conduct and
• Lay the groundwork for them to develop their
own moral guide.
Some key questions
• Does strengthening couples relationship
improve child outcomes?
• Does addressing the mothers mental health
enhance outcome?
Parenting Skills
• Promoting positive relationships
– Brief quality time, talking to children, affection
• Encouraging desirable behaviour
– Praise, positive attention, engaging activities
• Teaching new skills and behaviours
– Modelling, behaviour charts
• Managing misbehaviour
– Ground rules, directed discussion, planned
ignoring, clear, calm instructions, logical
consequences, time-out
Time-Out
• 1 minute for each year of age.
• In a fixed place every time.
• Should not be an interesting
place (Example: it should face a
wall).
• Can hold the child in time-out at
first if he won’t stay.
• No talking or playing during
time-out.
• Repeat time-out as needed.
Types of Penalties
• Scolding
• Time-out
Positive Parenting
• Parent with a plan
• Parent in freedom, not fear
• Parent with affection, but not softness
• Parent with authority, but not bullying
• Parent by being inspiring person
Lessons learned
• Always give a comfortable and loving environment
with assertiveness.
•
• Child behaviour difficulties needs due attention and
care
• Parenting strategies should be planned and over
reactivity to the issue be avoided
• Parental anger is discouraged.
• Parents should interact with teacher or psychologist if
and when required .
Thank you for your attention