Parents face numerable challenges rearing children to become happy and healthy. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, many different strategies are needed to become responsive, attentive and consistent parents. Various parenting strategies prove necessary to teach children how to respond to the outside world and how to discipline and encourage positive behavior.
RPM3
The RPM3 parenting style is a strategy developed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and promoted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The core principles of the approach are based on research performed by the National Institutes of Health. The strategy starts with responding to children in an appropriate manner, followed by preventing risky and unsociable behavior before it begins. There are three principles that start with the letter M. You need to monitor your children and their contact with the outside world, model appropriate behavior to your children through your own actions and mentor them by encouraging and supporting positive behavior.
Positive Reinforcement
Parents model inappropriate responses when they yell and scream at children or push to enforce their will upon the kids. Children learn that this is how they get what they want in life and will turn around and act similarly. Inappropriate responses include yelling at babies for crying or spanking a child for spilling his milk. According to Parenting Prescriptions, positive, loving reinforcement of good behavior goes a lot further in shaping a child's behavior. While it is not helpful to applaud every good behavior, you should be selective and look for times to compliment a child when he least expects it. Select one behavior every day that is praise worthy.
Family Structure
Consistency is one of the most difficult habits to get into as a parent. Situations, life challenges, work and other family obligations often allow you to let certain things go, such as family dinners or monitoring homework. Licensed family practice counselor Gary Anderson advises parents to develop a family structure and make every attempt to stick to it daily. Set rules and expectations that are non-negotiable and hold yourself to the same standards you impose on the children. Set schedules and routines that children can count on. Keep family time inveterate and let nothing interfere. Give children chores and responsibilities. Hold them accountable for their mistakes and let them see you experience consequences when you make mistakes.
