Parents are the Primary Educator of Their Children

If we were to reflect on our parenting behaviour when our children were babies and totally dependent on us, we may notice that an enormous amount of time is devoted to comforting, nurturing, feeding and talking to them. While our children are dependent on us, they get a great deal of attention and stimulation and nurture.

Studies in human brain development show, that a baby’s brain develops in tandem with adults. Our emotional connectedness with our children actually assists their brain development. However, as our children get older and become more independent for some of their basic needs, the intensity of the one on one time to teach children can drop off.

It is possible for a parent to become complacent and heavily dependent on other social groups and networks to impart important skills and knowledge.

In reality, as our children get older, approach and experience adolescence they need more quality time, wisdom and the sharing of our information about them.

The time of growing up for our children should be a time of ongoing educational relationship between the child and parent. As a parent, it is my role to seek special moments when we can sit and talk about important issues impacting on the life of my child. Together we talk about how these issues could be managed and solved. Whilst, in conversation with my child, we talk about the choices we can make and which would be most appropriate for the situation. These conversations help us to teach and guide our children how to make choices and choose what is right. It is a wonderful way of building self-esteem and resiliency and it helps to build a beautiful parent and child relationship.