Take the time to parent well
A parenting assessment tool developed and being tested by the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is proving that lack of effective parenting is responsible for many of the behavioural problems being exhibited by children.
Executive director of the NPSC Dr Patrece Charles says the data is showing that many parents are not creating structures at home for their children, are not very involved in the lives of their children, and are not nurturing their children.
November is Parents’ Month, and Dr Charles says statistics show that over 52 per cent of Jamaican parents employ the authoritarian, manipulative style of parenting, while 63 per cent employ a critical and aggressive style of parenting.
“That is not good, so we have our work cut out for us,” she said.
As such, she outlines the four elements of effective parenting — nurturance, structure, recognition and empowerment — that will be highlighted during the month.
Meantime, as parents you can:
1. Take the time to help guide your children through homework.
2. Take the time to set up a routine at home so your children are used to getting up at a certain time and going to bed at a certain time.
3. Keep in contact with your children’s teachers.
4. Take the time to say ‘I love you’.
5. Take the time to read with your children.
6. Take the time to hug your children.
7. Take the time to stay involved with your children.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Elaine Foster-Allen, has urged parents to become actively involved in their children’s education in order to ensure their academic success.
“We (at the ministry) regard parents as a critical stakeholder group in the education process. Research bears out the point that children who enjoy the interest and support of parents do better in their academic performance compared to children who don’t have these supporting networks,” she said.
The NPSC is an agency under the Ministry of Education with the mandate to assist parents in developing positive parenting skills.
