Positive parenting tips

Infants:

Engage your baby in a variety of stimulating activities, including frequent reading to him/her. Talk to your baby often. Cuddle, hold and give your baby tons of affection.

Toddlers (1-2 years)

Read to your toddler every day.

Encourage exploration and trying new things.

Respond positively to desirable behaviours.

Toddlers (2-3 years)

Encourage pretend play. Reward positive behaviour, rather than attending to undesirable ones.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Use clear and consistent discipline. Provide your child with opportunities to make choices.

Middle Childhood (6-8 years)

Communicate about school and other important things in your child’s life.

Engage in family activities. Make consistent rules about screen use.

Middle childhood (9-11 years)

Teach your child about responsibilities, such as saving money.

Get to know your child’s friends and their parents.

Talk to your child about puberty, pressures, and risky behaviours.

Teens (13-14 years)

Respect your teen’s feelings, opinions, and interests.

Know where your teen is and ensure adult supervision.

Openly discuss potentially risky behaviours such as sex, drinking and drugs.

Set clear goals and expectations.

Teenagers (15-17 years)

Openly discuss sensitive topics such as risky behaviour and depression.

Encourage your teen to make goals and plan ahead.

Show affection and spend time together.

Help your teen to make healthy decisions regarding technology and social media use.

Respect your teen’s opinions and need for privacy.