It is not always an easy task to raise kids, but it is certainly rewarding.
If you are lucky enough to have one or more children, you may wonder, at times, how to best raise the children effectively. Have you ever read out loud while pregnant? Do you hug your little one often? Do you talk to him or her regularly? Have you stopped being close to your child just because he, she or they are teenagers or older?
Here are 5 tips on raising children that will help your kids thrive.
1. Be loving and sensitive
Studies show that babies who receive careful, thoughtful care (holding, rocking, talking and smiling) grow up to be very strong in difficult situations. They are often eager to learn, get along well with other kids, and have better grades in school than the kids that are less attached to their parents.
As your infant grows to adulthood, you will need to gauge when to step back and when to step forward. Remember, your teen is often confused. Even as he or she appears to be running away from you, they are often crying to be caught, held and loved – not easy, but in the end, very rewarding
2. Talk, read, and sing
Good communication with your child will create a great start for effective learning later in life. Talk and sing about every day happenings, read short stories from illustrated books, and allow your child to participate in the story telling by asking questions, pointing to illustrations, and even creating a new ending once in a while.
As your infant grows older introduce him or her to a wider variety of music. Have musical discussions – there is a wide and truly fascinating history to music and the people who created such wonderful sounds whether modern or classical.
3. Encourage play time
While many of us see learning as an accumulation of facts, kids learn by playing. Play time helps our young people to develop their curiosity, their vocabulary, and the ability to solve problems. If kids are not interested in certain games or toys, don’t push them to play with those: sooner or later, they’ll develop an interest on their own, and they’ll be happy to discover the new toy. Just make sure you provide ample opportunity for play time, and don’t hesitate to get on the floor and play along.
Just because your child has now reached his or her late teens or twenty’s, doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing. There is tennis, squash, ten-pin bowling, or perhaps a game of pool, and what about card or board games. Then of course there is hiking, cycling, sailing and camping. In fact, why should it be just your child? Get a whole group of kids together; you will be surprised at how much they will enjoy the attention. There is nothing to stop you from from helping to raise kids other than your own.
4. Use discipline as a learning opportunity
It’s normal for kids to test the rules and act impulsively sometimes. But parents need to establish rules that help to educate their children instead of punishing them. For example, instead of saying “You shouldn’t whine in the store”, you can say: “You are so cute when you smile!” Big difference and a great lesson! It’s so easy to be negative, but if you make an effort it will pay huge dividends later, as your kids grow up.
5. Choose quality “daycare” for your kids, and be involved
Studies show that quality daycare services, as well as an early learning program help the kid’s ability to integrate well when it’s time for school. Once you found the right daycare for your little one, make sure you stay involved: show up unexpectedly, volunteer to help when you can, and ask for reports on your kid’s progress.
Heck, you can translate daycare to mean the latest boyfriend or girlfriend or perhaps a spouse. Be careful – don’t be nosy and don’t give unwanted advice, offer help but don’t force it, wait to be asked.
These are just a few of the ways you can help your kids grow to be the best they can be. Remember to be a kid yourself once in a while, it will do you and your family the world of good.
Be innovative – Think outside the box. Raising children to be the best that they can be is a wonderful experience.
Go have fun with your kids today!
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