DEAR PARENT

The period of Early Childhood care and Education is the most essential part of nurturing a child into full adulthood. This crucial period is pertinent to achieving Education for All, a goal that has been abandoned to be part of adult literacy alone. To ensure that education is accessible to all, we must start at the early stage and this involves largely the input of parents who are the primary caregiver.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) did curate a parenting handbook that covers community parenting, health and nutrition of the child and even care for the child during pregnancy. Although this handbook may not be universal because of local laws and cultural differences, however, the application of the recommendations are universal because universally, a child is a child.

Parenting is the process of raising and educating a child from birth to adulthood. There are rules that are progressive while others are inhibitive to ensuring a very successful parenting experience. Some of them are:

✓ Don’t clip your child’s wings: Children should be given the opportunity to explore and go beyond extreme monitoring. They should be groomed to be independent at some point in their lives. Starting from putting away toys themselves to making first attempts in assignments, an independent individual is groomed.

✓ Remember that discipline is not punishment: Discipline entails teaching kids how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent and in control. This is totally different from depriving them of their basic needs (food, shelter and clothing). Inflicting extreme suffering on children is not disciplining.

✓ Play with your children: There should be a period for play and fun for children. Playing games or having fun with your children makes them feel loved and accepted. It also creates a bond with them.

✓ Tell them the truth: You will love your kids to be trustworthy and truthful in their dealings, right? Do the same and let them know you for that.

✓ Show love to your spouse in their presence: When you express love to their dad/mum in their presence, extending it to them will not be strange. Also, they will reciprocate it heartily.

✓ Be positive in words and affirmations: Regular compliments and words of appreciation are very instrumental in motivating children and encouraging them to do more.

✓ Say ‘No’ when necessary: Not every of your child’s requests are right and perfect at the time of request. As a good parent, learn to say no when it is needed and explain the reason for your decline.

✓ Give yourself a break: It’s not a bad idea if you need to take time-off from the stressful duty of parenting. A drive around town once in a while is cool. Any other way to wind off is also good. you need to be in the proper state of mind to give the best nurturing experience to your child(ren)

This list is non exhaustive because of the individual and class differences so choose the ones you can relate with and be a better parent.

DADA PRECIOUS TOLULOPE

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The period of Early Childhood care and Education is the most essential part of nurturing a child into full adulthood. This crucial period is pertinent to achieving Education for All, a goal that has been abandoned to be part of adult literacy alone. To ensure that education is accessible to all, we must start at…