Would you like to be able to raise a brood of well-rounded kids? Kids, that grow up satisfied with their achievements and ambitions and are secure in the knowledge they are loved and cared for? The goal for any parent is to raise their children to be competent and confident adults, with a sense of purpose and passion.
Before your children set foot in the school gates is the best time to do it. If you want to raise a child who is healthy, happy and well-balanced here are some things you can do. It’s not a one-size fit all solution, and the results are not guaranteed. However, you will stand a better chance of achieving your goal if you bear them in mind.
Spend Time Together
One of the opportunities to spend together is meal times. You might not be the best cook in the world, but your cooking skills are not what matters. Eating together will be beneficial for your children both educationally and emotionally.
Ask them how their day has been and talk about yours too. A study conducted in America discovered that children who eat at least five meals a week are more likely to achieve better grades in school. They are also less likely to develop an eating disorder and require mental health treatment.
Everyone is Different
Don’t expect your child to be a carbon copy of yourself and don’t expect siblings to be even vaguely similar. Everybody is different and unique in our own special way, and that means the learning process will be different. You have to identify their learning style and play to their strengths. Regardless of their learning style find time to read to them often. It’s never to early to start either. A government study found that 5-year olds who were read to every day by their parents were less likely to have behavioral problems at school.
Celebrate Efforts and Achievements
Rather than labeling your child as smart or talented, praise them for their hard work. Grades are not what motivate top students to succeed. It’s more their inner drive to learn that allows them to take on new challenges. If a child has a fixed mindset, because they’ve been labeled in a certain way, they are less likely to try new things.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Not getting enough sleep can be particularly detrimental to a child’s cognitive abilities. Establish a healthy bedtime routine and stick to it religiously. Another suggestion is to turn off all electronic gadgets and the TV at least 30 minutes before going to bed. It may also be a good idea to remove them from the bedroom as there are bound to be a few that are tempted to check their Facebook page or watch a YouTube video under the covers.
Encourage Curiosity
Curiosity is something that is diminishing in kids earlier and earlier. Everything in their lives is so regimented and they grow up fearing failure. Take time to go outside and simply look up at the clouds or turn over a rock and see what you can find underneath. It’s OK for them to go outside and get dirty every now and again and wonder about things they never knew about before.
One last tip is to give your kids hugs whenever possible to help ease any tension they might be feeling. Human touch is something that gives us all sense of security. Studies have also shown that touching someone gently can alleviate certain symptoms related to stress.
Many parents want to know how to raise a child with good manners. It is actually easier to say it but it is very challenging to do it. However, with the right attitude and your good example, this is achievable!