Parenting skills are important building blocks in a child's life. Parents should be there to teach their child right from wrong, encourage them to establish lasting friendships, to share and to explore. Showing a child how to take care of their bodies, clean and feed themselves is equally important. Parenting skills start at birth and continue for years as a child grows into a teen and an adult.
Discipline
Discipline is a type of parenting skills that also falls under the most controversy and scrutiny. There are several parents that firmly believe a child should face physical consequences for their actions. For those who misbehave, they feel a spanking, smack on the hand or face or a tug on the arm is an effective way to discipline. Those on the opposite side of the spectrum feel that discipline can be resolved verbally, or by taking things away from the child rather than physically scolding them or harming them. Some parents set rules that a child must abide by, or suffer the consequences of no allowance or not being able to play with certain toys or friends. While most physical discipline is not illegal in most parts of the world, it can easily cross the line and become a form of abuse. Any person who suspects a child is being beaten or physically abused should report the incident to their local Department of Human Services.
Friendship
Friendship is a building block, and something all parents generally try to teach their children from a young age. Encouraging children to establish healthy friendships through play and peer interaction is viable for good social function. Friendships can be established after only a few months of age, when older infants and toddlers can interact in playgroups to learn sharing and playing techniques. Children can also learn friendship skills from the relationships their parents or caregivers are engaged in, as they observe how other adults interact with one another.
Sharing
Sharing is important from a very young age. Children need to learn how to share so they can develop healthy relationships as they enter school. Some children find it difficult to share their toys with their siblings or other children. It is important that parents reinforce sharing skills with their baby and toddlers as soon as possible to make the transition from home to school an easy one.
Hygiene
Hygiene is a very important parenting skill. A parent should be responsible to not only keep their child clean and healthy, but show them how to care for themselves. This may include wiping properly after using the bathroom, washing their hair, body and hands, and brushing their teeth. Children learn easily by example, especially as toddlers, so parents should talk about and exaggerate their hygiene movements along with their child to reinforce habits and skills.
Education
Education is the building block for human behavior. It is very important that each child receives the encouragement and skills they need to learn and succeed in life. This can start at birth. Singing, reading and interacting with a young infant sets the groundwork for their education and exploration. Educational videos, books, toys and classes should all be incorporated into a child's life at a very young age. The parent must encourage, teach and reinforce everything that their child has learned.
