Raising children can be quite difficult- your lifestyle will have to shift to revolve around them. Even how your house is like is going to change. But it’s all for the better, as it increases the chances of positive growth among kids. Below are some other tips to help burgeoning kids’ (and parents!) development.
An Ideal Physical Environment
Your physical space dictates your children’s growth. Having an ideal environment promotes development and better learning. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Display Books Out in the Open.
Children who grew up surrounded by books tend to read more, as studies have shown. Those who grew up with a considerable amount of books in their home displayed above-average literacy, and the opposite is also true. Encouraging reading at a young age helps set them up for success. It increases comprehension levels, a sense of autonomy when looking for answers, and a general interest in learning. Displaying books out in the open, where they can grab a book and read, is a simple yet powerful way to encourage your kids to read.
Provide a Conducive Study Space.
A dedicated study space helps your children focus on their studies and absorb more knowledge. Putting in the effort to provide a space dedicated to studying and learning can help quite a lot. Daycares and nurseries install commercial AC systems to provide comfortable temperatures so that kids won’t be bothered by the heat (especially during hot seasons), so make sure your study room has one too.
Use vibrant colours for the walls to encourage them to learn- and keep them awake. Don’t forget to use furniture to your children’s size, as they will be spending hours sitting down and reading. Staying comfortable while learning is something that’s often neglected but makes a significant difference when it comes to learning.
Create a Safe Outdoor Area.
As much as reading and learning are important, so are play and physical exercise. Children are known to enjoy playtime and moving around- don’t limit them when expressing their energies. Instead, encourage them to play and move around. A safe outdoor space where they can run and play to their hearts’ content helps boost their immune system and imparts a sense of physicality and athleticism into their childhood.
An Encouraging Approach
Besides the physical aspects of raising a child, there’s also the mental approach. It plays a significant part (if not more so) in your child’s development and is something that every parent should know. Below are some ideas to help you out.
Eat Healthy with Them.
At home and as early as infancy, it’s important to expose children to vegetables and other healthy food. Once they start eating semi-solids, introduce them to soft veggies already. As they grow older, it’s crucial that they see this healthy habit in you at the dining table. Instead of forcing them to eat vegetables, treat the whole situation as something normal, which doesn’t even need convincing. This way, your kids can follow your lead and grow up having a natural appetite for healthy food instead of junk food.
Be Patient with Their Questions.
Children are inquisitive, and they will always be asking questions like, “Why?” When we say be patient, that doesn’t mean you have to provide an answer to all of their questions. A good way to satiate their curiosity is to guide them and help them find the answers on their own. Do they have a science question that you’re not confident answering? Make a trip to the library and get books about the topic. Not only is it a fun mini field trip for your little one, but it’s also an educational experience for them too.
Expose them to Technology.
The world is reliant on technology, and keeping it away from your kids will spell disaster. As soon as they’re able to read, it’s best to teach them about technology. Teach them responsible use of technology and what modern technology consists of. Imparting an understanding of moving in a world reliant on technology will help them make fewer mistakes when navigating technology and the internet. It also prepares them to utilize such innovations better, making them more competitive in the modern world.
Raising children is a community effort. It’s not the sole responsibility of parents because there are so many external factors that affect the growth and development of children. As adults, we have to ensure that their environment is conducive to child-rearing and positive growth. Any lessons and values they learn as children will carry into adulthood- making creating a positive environment all the more important.
