Every parent wants to raise their children in a way that prepares them to live fulfilled and productive lives, as that is the true barometer of success. While there isn’t a specific set of guidelines that parents can adhere to for raising successful children, psychology research has pointed to a series of factors that can predict success. These ingredients include teaching them how to empathize with others, fostering healthy relationships, and practicing their civic duty in the community. Below are our 8 parenting tips and strategies on how to raise a successful child.
Here’s What Parents of Successful Children Have in Common:
Parents worry every day that they are not doing or providing enough for their children. However, just by introducing some of the skills below into their day-to-day routine, parents can feel a little more comfortable that they are raising productive members of society.
They Teach Them Chores
A great opportunity to instill a sense of responsibility into your children is to teach them positive habits from an early age. This includes educating them about their part in completing chores. According to the Harvard Grant Study, in what is considered to be the longest running longitudinal study in history, (spanning 75 years and counting-from 1938 to the present), researchers identified work ethic as one of two things that people need to feel happy and successful. Helping out around the home gives children a sense of accomplishment, even for the simplest of tasks. Here are some methods to make chores fun for children.
They Teach Them Social Skills
While every child develops at his or her own speed, it’s important that parents are aware of certain social skills and social cues that they should reach by certain ages. Developing social skills such as self-control, empathy, and the ability to communicate with others helps children grow into well-adjusted adults. Our childcare professionals can help your child better understand how to foster healthy long-term relationships.
They Incorporate Mindfulness
There is emerging research that suggests that practicing mindfulness on a daily basis, even for a short duration of time, can help children pay better attention, calm down quicker when they’re agitated, and make healthier decisions. One way for parents to include mindfulness in their child’s life is to practice it themselves. After several sessions, you might find your child coming to join in. Read on for 7 things parents can do to increase mindfulness in their kids.
They Teach Children to Read Daily and Learn Math from a Young Age
Numerous research studies have indicated that developing early mathematics and reading skills from an early age can predict future achievements. Reading at an early age helps expand a young child’s brain, and opens the door to early academic success. Learning math strengthens their comprehension skills. When your child gets older, he or she will be more comfortable with more difficult math and number concepts, and feel confident in their abilities.
They Encourage Conversations about the Future
Parents should be involved and remain connected in their child’s life. That shouldn’t be confused with being a helicopter parent. It’s important that parents set expectations early on in life. One of the ways to do so is to discuss with your child about his or her goals for adolescence and later on, adulthood. When your son or daughter discusses his or her objectives with you, focus on the specifics that will help them achieve it. Some ideas to take the conversation further can be found on NextGen’s website.
They Prepare Your Children for Failure
When a child fails, i.e, obtains a bad grade, doesn’t make a sports team, it is a good opportunity to teach them about the role of failure. Some of the best lessons that a child can learn from defeat is how to pick themselves up and re-focus on what’s next. Utilizing healthy techniques to deal with setbacks and letdowns helps children develop key characteristics that they’ll need to succeed. These include coping skills, emotional resilience, creative thinking, and collaborative thinking.
They Praise Correctly
Parents should avoid excessively complimenting their children for non-accomplishments and instead, praise them on specific and meaningful things, such as schoolwork habits or actions in their community. Children who possess low self-esteem can develop anxiety about maintaining a high level of praise, and begin to choose easier tasks to receive it. Frequent praise will also begin to lose its meaning after a certain period of time.
They Dedicate Time to Self-Care
All parents deserve time to themselves. Managing the stressors of work, children, and household can be overwhelming. It’s always good to take some time to relax and unplug. One way to do this is to hire the services of a nanny, who can assist with childcare responsibilities and light housekeeping. Additional ways for parents to re-energize their health and spirit can be found on our blog.
Contact The Nanny Authority Today
There is no such thing as a complete list of tips and strategies on how to raise a successful child. Instead, a parent’s support means everything for a child’s confidence, so success needs to be a shared objective. For more information on how our childcare professionals can work alongside parents to instill good values, contact us via e-mail or at 973-466-2669 today!