Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Let’s turn our focus to “Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development” as the next chapter in our exploration of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework. Learning more about child development helps parents enjoy their children more and nurture thriving children.
We know that early childhood is a critical time in a person’s life in terms of intellectual, social, emotional, and moral development, all of which is largely determined by early environment and experiences. In addition to basic needs like nutritious food, regular sleep, physical activity, and stimulating experiences, developing brains and bodies need responsive, emotionally available caregivers. Children need interactions with caregivers that are sensitive, nurturing, and affectionate in order to develop secure attachment. Reliable, safe, and nurturing relationships with parents or caregivers lay the foundation for healthy self-confidence, strong cognitive skills, and social-emotional sensitivity later in life. The bonds forged in early childhood- and the neural connections developed- pay dividends for a person’s future. Studies even show that secure attachment in childhood can offset some of the negative effects of trauma and stress that might arise in a child’s life.
Conversely, children who receive inconsistent or detached care develop insecure attachment that manifests in fear, distrust, anxiety, and potentially long-term negative impacts to cognitive and social emotional development. A seemingly minor example like a young child who has limited exposure to language stimulation from the adults in their life can mean that the neural pathways that support learning are not established at a critical point in a child’s development.
The good news is you don’t have to be a perfect parent to meet your child’s needs! What is most essential for children to thrive is trusting, nurturing relationships, predictable routines, interactive language experiences, opportunities to explore and learn, and a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Here are a few areas where it’s helpful to broaden your understanding about parenting and child development:
Physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development
Signs indicating a child may have a developmental delay and need special help
Cultural factors that influence parenting practices and the perception of children
Factors that promote or inhibit healthy child outcomes
Discipline and how to positively impact child behavior
Here is a list of resources for caregivers:
Alabama’s Early Intervention System: Early Intervention provides support and services for infants and toddlers under the age of three who have a developmental delay or a medical diagnosis that can delay normal development, which can prevent the child from meeting developmental milestones. Early intervention supports and services focus on teaching the parents and caregivers ways to help the child learn and participate in everyday activities.
Alabama Family Central: Find the answers you’re looking for to raise strong, healthy children. No matter if you’re a parent, family member, caregiver or teacher, Alabama Family Central makes finding education, healthcare, child services and family resources fast and easy. We’re your one-stop destination, connecting you with hundreds of programs, tools, services and support.
Autism Society of Alabama: The Austism Society of Alabama’s mission is to improve services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families through education and advocacy.
BabyPalooza: If you are pregnant or just had a baby use Babypalooza to connect to information on baby gear and local resources you need as you grow your family. The Babypalooza Community is a safe place to ask questions and get answers from other parents and experts. No political ads, no mommy shaming, No world star videos!
BornReady Tips: BornReady is an initiative from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) focused on raising awareness among Alabama parents of the importance of early brain development and high-quality early care and education. Check out these free, quick ideas to boost your child’s learning!
Help Me Grow Alabama: Help Me Grow (HMG) connects families to health and developmental resources so children (birth to age eight) can start school healthy and ready to succeed. With this proven model, HMG helps to ensure all children to have the best possible start in life.
Parenting Assistance Line: PAL is for anyone who wants information and support in becoming a more confident parent. Let's face it…when babies are born, they don't come with "instructions!" Parenting can be tough and sometimes with today's stresses and problems we all just need a little help. PAL can provide helpful assistance to moms, dads, grandparents, and relatives whose children are ages birth through adolescence.
Talk With Me Baby: Talk With Me Baby™ is a collaboration of six leadership organizations, all working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap.
WIC Program: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five.
