What is Parenting? HPC 3O April 23rd, 2013

Parenting Caring for children and helping them develop Requires understanding a child’s needs and meeting those needs When to help and when to back off Avoid pushing children to try activities they’re not ready for. Avoid holding back out of fear that child may fail Must adapt their parenting skills at each stage of development

Having Reasonable Expectations “Act your age” High expectations Example of Kristen & Adam (negative stage) Respecting differences between children

Discussion Question What does it mean when a person has authority? What is a democracy? What does it mean to permit something?

Finding a Comfortable Parenting Style 3 main styles: Authoritarian Style Democratic Style Permissive Style

Authoritarian Style Children should obey parents without question What happens when a rule is broken?

Democratic Style Children have more input into rules and limits Certain amount of independence and freedom

Permissive Style Wide range of freedom Children set their own rules

Finding a Comfortable Parenting Style Not so black & white! Parents may choose to follow each style during the different stages of development

Activity Time! In groups of 2 or 3 Think of a parent in a movie or television show. Explain how the parent guides behavior, handles conflicts with children and generally interacts with children. Address issues such as: what kind of atmosphere do these practices create? How do the children interact with the parent? How effect is this parent’s approach to parenting?

Name jobs that require no training or experience How much responsibility do these jobs hold? How much responsibility does parenting involve? Should a person be required to have training before becoming a parent? Why or why not?

How to get Parenting Skills Reading books & magazine articles Gaining experience with children Asking advice of family members and friends Observing other parents and children

The Tasks of Parenting 3 basic tasks: Meet the child’s basic needs Nurture children Guide children to show appropriate behavior

Meeting Children’s Needs Food, clothing and shelter Safety & health Teaching language Fostering intellectual growth Teaching them to get along with others Providing opportunities for them to love and be loved

Nurturing Giving child opportunities for encouragement and enrichment Showing love, support and concern Parents  1st teachers Deprivation  lack of an enriching environment  is deprivation the same as poverty? “Window of opportunity”

Case Study Sara’s father has been ill and unable to work for over a year. Her mother was laid off from her job and cannot find another. The family has very little money and cannot afford to make ends meet. Sara’s family has pulled together during these trying times, and Sara feels loved and secure, despite her parents’ problems Is Sara deprived? If so, in what way? If not, why not?

Nurturing Hugs & kisses for children Patient listening and giving time & attention Embarassment of showing affection for child vs. over-protectiveness

Communicating Positively Be a good listener! The way you talk to children is important. Some good techniques are listed below: -Use words the child can understand -Be clear -Be positive and polite -Give praise and love -Limit directions to those that are essential -Talk about what’s meaningful to the child