Guide To Successful Child Development With Parent Support
- The holistic approach to parenting acts as a guide for successful child development. As parents we have the all important responsibility to support our children in being successful human beings. This would include meeting the needs of the ‘whole’ child as they grow through the critical early stages of development. Holistic Development is an approach that addresses the “whole” child’s needs.
- Prior to taking a couple of years to be home with my little babies I was a therapist working with children and families. I offered therapeutic support to help children function well at home, in school, and in their community.
- A huge factor in a child’s success is their parents. Most parents, however, struggle to meet all of the fundamental needs of their whole child. I refer to the fundamental needs of a child as their holistic development.
- Getting this knowledge to other parents is important because we all need encouragement, knowledge, inspiration, and support with creating our little humans.
What Is Holistic Development?
Six Toddler Developments You Can Nurture
- INTELLECT: We are our children’s first teacher. Parents encourage interest and therefore offer an introduction to world knowledge and skills.
- PHYSICAL HEALTH: Parents meet the daily basic needs of a child (food, clothes, shelter) and invest in a child’s physical growth and well being while also encouraging children to develop their God given abilities.
- SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL:
- Emotional – An important role in parenting is to teach, practice, and reinforce appropriate responses to both positive and negative emotions.
- Social – Social connections are important in understanding human emotions which begins with healthy attachment to family. Social skills continue to grow with peer practice (i.e. conflict, sharing, waiting turns, respecting space, etc.).
- SPIRITUAL: Spirituality, religion, and morality are closely connected. Linking virtues to a child’s natural curiosity.
- CREATIVE: Often children display their creativity in their play for example pretending to be a super hero rescuing his sister from the big bad broccoli. Children pretend and act out various roles and themes in stories they can create themselves.
- CULTURAL INTEGRATION: Culture affects development. Every child interacts differently with the world based on their environment culture. Teaching children to be accepting and understanding of difference can help children find their commonalities for others.
Sign up for the Top 6 Daily Reminders – Child Development Goals
How To Get Started With Early Childhood Development
- Be willing to experiment with new ideas and be creative for example visiting the zoo or using animal sandwich cutouts when your child shows an interest in animals.
- Connect your child’s development with their natural environment.
- Build strong relationships through active learning and social skills.
- Use Pinterest for quick ideas.
- One activity can incorporate some or all development points for example going on a hike as a family. More tips are available in the best tips for fun family fitness.
Six Point Guide To Successful Child Development Using A Holistic Early Childhood Approach
- Be willing to experiment with your parenting. Try new things. What works for one child may not work for your other child.
- Establish a trusting relationship and environment. Children are more receptive to communicate with a parent who is open and trusting. This type of relationship translates to ‘I feel safe’.
- Understand and reinforce your child’s interest. This can act as a tool to motivate your child. By finding a child’s interest you can then use this motivation to broaden their learning opportunities.
- Make a plan. Think about what works for your family and make sure all members of your family will enjoy.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses. Identify strengths and weaknesses and plan your solution for areas that would thwart your efforts to apply a holistic approach.
- Are you creative or Not?
- Does reading with your child(ren) excite you or Not?
- Do you like exploring or Not?
- Can you be resourceful or Not?
- Are you a planner or Not?
Questions About Holistic Development
- Isn’t the holistic approach about alternative or natural practices?
- I guess there is a component to this when discussing health, however, we are more focused on all aspects of your child and the overall health and growth over the years.
- How do I know if I checked all the boxes? Ask yourself…
- Does my child learn and practice a skill during play?
- Is my child able to practice social skills appropriately
- Have I prepared my child to effectively express positive and negative feelings?
- Is my child able play and be creative?
- My child is able to explore and appreciate their environment.
- Can my child demonstrate safe play?
- Where can I find resources to use for planning?
- If you want to see a complete breakdown of amazing resources for teaching your early learning holistically click this link below.
The Last Thing You Need To Know About Holistic Development
- Young children are sponges so if all else fails get them out in their environment and provide opportunities for play. Their inquisitive mind will help guide their growth. All you have to do is be there to answer their questions and support their interest.
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