How often do you feel like your present has a lot to do with your past? How an individual is brought up and what they learn during childhood can impact the rest of their lives, and there’s a lot of research to prove it. According to a 2024 study by Columbia University, positive relationships with parents during childhood are associated with better mental health when these children become adults, regardless of exposure to adverse childhood experiences.

It becomes evident from the study that the seeds of well-being planted through nurturing parenting styles continue to blossom into adulthood, contributing to a foundation of enduring mental health.

For a child’s emotional development, parents and their parenting style play a pivotal role in fostering resilience, good mental health and well-being. Sharing a loving and strong bond with your children helps them develop the social and emotional skills they need to lead a fulfilling life.

Children do their best when they have a warm, nurturing and supportive connection with a parent, caregiver, or another grown-up. This special bond helps them bounce back from tough times and face challenges with strength.

Hence, it is imperative to be present for your child when they are growing up. Being present for them brings a lot of difference in their behaviour and the skills they acquire. From the first happy smiles and learning to take little steps, your child is passing many important childhood milestones. It's a time when they're growing and figuring out the world, making it a perfect moment to start helping them feel good inside.

 

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Power of Positive Parenting 

Positive parenting reinforces the idea that there are no “good” or “bad” kids, just different kids with different needs. The power of positive parenting goes far beyond emotional well-being, resilience and developing social skills. Positive parenting lays the foundation for the well-rounded development of their child. Keep reading to know why positive parenting is important for a child’s overall development.

Teaches Critical Life Skills: According to a 2002 report published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, positive parenting helps children do better in school, have fewer behavioural problems, and stronger mental health.

Also, beyond academic achievements, it instils essential life skills such as resilience, empathy, and self-esteem. Children raised in a positive parenting environment tend to develop a more optimistic outlook, enabling them to navigate challenges with a growth mindset. A 2019 study in Social Science & Medicine found that positive parenting has long-term benefits, including better relationships, mental health, and well-being during adulthood.

Children raised in a positive parenting environment often learn effective problem-solving, decision-making, and coping mechanisms. These skills contribute to their ability to navigate life's challenges, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and confidence.

 

Better Brain Function: Another 2014 study from the journal, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, concluded that positive parenting leads to better functioning in the brain region associated with emotions and cognition during the teen years.

This suggests that the supportive and nurturing environment created by positive parenting practices not only fosters emotional well-being but also influences the cognitive aspects of a child's brain development.

 

3 Positive Parenting Techniques to Use With Your Child

Give Praises Freely

The words we use with children shape their inner voice. This helps in either fostering growth or causing harm. Positive praise contributes to building self-esteem and a positive self-concept.

Through praise, children receive guidance on expected behaviour and reinforcing your standards. Rewards for specific behaviours help them understand your expectations, and continued praise serves as a reminder of those expectations.

• Label your praise: When praising, be specific to help your child understand what they did right. Instead of a generic "Good job," say something like, "Great job waiting patiently during my phone call."  Using the generic praises will keep your child guessing what you like and what is the praise for.
• Praise the baby steps: It’s not a good idea to reserve praise for elephantine tasks only. Celebrate small achievements along the way, like praising them for brushing teeth or choosing pyjamas independently as they work toward bigger goals, like getting ready for bed on their own.
• Use Physical Expressions to Praise: Make your praise more impactful by using both words and physical expressions. Smiles, a pat on the back, enthusiasm, hugs, kisses, or high-fives can enhance the positive impact of your encouragement.

 

Reflect on Actions and Words

According to a 2018 study in Psychological Science, back-and-forth conversation with your child strengthens the language centre of their brain.Try to indulge in as many back-and-forth conversations as possible. Also, reflecting lets your child know you're paying attention to them and whatever they are communicating is important. 

When you reflect on their words, they communicate the message: ‘I hear you and I get you.’
Reflecting what your child says encourages them to talk more. It's better than asking too many questions because it rewards them for speaking, making them more likely to share their thoughts. 

Reflections are also handy for gently correcting grammar mistakes; for example, if a child says, "I runned home," you can respond with, "Wow, you ran home!" This is a subtle way of correcting them without pointing it out to them aloud. 

 

Turn Mistakes Into Learning Opportunities 

Even when things go wrong, use them as chances to teach. Instead of just punishing, focus on helping your child learn and do better next time.
Find appropriate opportunities to teach your child about being responsible, solving problems, working together, and helping others. For little ones, if they misbehave, show them how good behaviour can have a positive outcome in the same situation.

For older kids, make a list of tips to solve problems when they're upset. If they make a mistake, help them figure out which tip they could have used in that situation. Also, play educational games like the Prodigy Math game together. Create a goal in your parent account to encourage them, and then join in as they play.

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

Better parenting always helps in bringing up a confident, strong and resilient child. By embracing effective parenting practices, we as parents can significantly contribute to children's mental health. By cultivating a supportive and positive environment, parents play a crucial role in fostering emotional resilience and overall well-being in their children.