There is an extensive body of research on different methods of parenting and how they affect the development of children. According to Sunderland (2016), raising children wholesomely depends on the type of parenting style. The researcher also adds that young children are often inquisitive and energetic and thus, bringing them up as expected is extremely challenging. Raising children often varies depending on their ethnic groups and their neighborhoods. Some parents are likely to be extremely lenient towards their children while others are very strict. Sunderland’s study is critical since it enables parents and caregivers to understand different parenting styles, their impacts on a child, and how they can affect use them. Various styles of parenting are likely to have positive and negative implications for individuals as highlighted by different studies.
Burger (2010) categorized four critical dimensions that should be understood by caregivers to effectively raise their children. How parents and caregivers express their warmth is the first dimension. Some parents are affectionate and warm while others are critical and callous. The second dimension is the techniques used to correct children and there are their expectations for maturity. The last dimension is how parents communicate with their children, some demand silence while others listen. Burger (2010) suggest an authoritative style as the most effective parenting method. Authoritative parenting is whereby caregivers set clear rules and do not provide children with any room to discuss or express their opinions. This style mostly employs punishment as the outcome for any misconduct. According to Berger (2010), most children grow up to become generous, responsible, and successful adults as a result of authoritative parenting.
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Berger (2018) articulates that care and love for children are more important when raising a child . Furthermore, a ny child will be better off raised with sincere love by any configuration of care-givers than raised without love in a so-called “ideal” family of one father and one mother who are married to each other. According to a study conducted by Sege et al. (2018), it is evident that s ome people who were raised by a single parent later express that they missed something by not having a parent of the other sex , usually a father. This can be heard much less from children raised by same-sex couples. In a similar study by Lidman (2019), i t i s easier for two people to raise a child and give the child a variety of experiences, and two people have more time to give. Perhaps another factor is that single parents are often in that situation through misfortune s such as a relationship breakup or an accidental pregnancy . On the other hand, same-sex couples generally parent quite intentionally and feel very invested in doing it well. An individual can wonder if those people who have some regrets had ideal relationships with their singl e parent in the first place. I t can not be sure if studies have eliminated that factor. T here are many other ways for children to have role models - other relatives, friends, and teachers (Sege et al., 2018) . An individual would hope that a single parent would make an effort to have those types of people in the child’s life.
Sunderland (2016) argues that t he tightness of a family has little to no significance in the success of a child in their life. Nothing is a substitute for guidance, care, and love (Love et al., 2003) . These can be achieved from a gay parent or single parent, just as effectively than in a “traditional” nuclear family. In his study Burger (2010) further argues that l ove is love, regardless of who gives it. Children are very resilient. If they have their basic needs met including food, shelter, and clothes and as long as they receive love and caring, it almost does n o t matter who gives it. Many c hildren have been raised in foster care, with relatives, by gay people, people of different cultures to happy and normal lives.
Lidman (2019) conducted a study on the effectiveness of love in raising children and found out that t he tightness of a family is not as significant as love and care for children. There are many happy, well-adjusted kids from single-parent households, from same-sex parents, from trans parents, from polyamorous families (Mullin, 2006) . There are also those from divorced and re-melded heterosexual families. Heterosexual families do n o t just come in one flavor, either. In a similar study Berger (2018) argues that i t does matter that the child has some means with which to handle potential criticism and ridicule of an unconventional family by their peers. It helps a lot of schools and teachers break out of the heteronormative mold, adjust any exercises that deal with parenting, and are prepared for questions about unconventional families, and answer them positively .
Burger (2010) researched how cognitive development is a critical aspect of raising a child. He concluded that, for parents to effectively support children’s cognitive development as they grow there is a need for higher investments and implementation of policies promoting good quality care for all children during their preschool years. To achieve both positive and long-term implications on children’s cognitive development, parents and caregivers enrich each stage of development (Burgen, 2010). Learning about every child's stage of development can inspire them to join them right where they are. They need to get on the rug with them and relate to them at eye level. In a related study Sege et al. (2019) urged that since most children from disadvantaged families enter school with fewer skills, parents need to create and put them in programs such as All Our Kin, Educare, and CSRP that focus on improving the learning environment of young children. This will also enable them to have better self-regulation, attention, and cognitive skills. According to Lidman (2019), parents need to focus on their practices and find ways that can help their children receive maximum support. By focusing on a blended approach, they will effectively implement these recommendations and make a difference in every child’s life.
Styles of parenting have been found to have a lot of impact on the psychological development and problem behaviors of children (Sunderland, 2016). Thus, the best parenting styles based on the cognitive psychological development of a child. A good example of activities that help children develop cognitively is playing. Play is how kids naturally explore and make sense of the world (Bergen, 2018). They learn best through play, whether it is academics, social skills, motor skills, and self-regulation. The best programs also have the right balance of child and parent-centered activities, including times of the day that kids have a lot of choice and times of the day that the parent makes most of the decisions. As Burger (2010) articulates, having an inquiry-based or project-based program is also a big plus, and, of course, good parents are a must. Homes can have the best facilities, and materials in the world. however, if they do not have good parents that know about how their children learn and develop, how to manage behavior appropriately, and create a positive atmosphere by having positive interactions with them, none of the rest matters.
The fact that the children of today’s generation are born in a tech-savvy world cannot be denied. They do what they see, and thus providing an environment that connects to them by tapping into their interests and enriching their learning opportunities will help connect with the them better (Burger, 2010). Another excellent method is a child-centric approach where the children discuss within groups than discussing one on one with their parents. This helps in building their personality by interacting with others and getting to know each other. According to Sege et al. (2018), mental acuity is not the sole resource of those with money or resources. A disadvantaged family is a relative term. In some areas, low-income may mean no home, no food, no, well anything. This is a start from a scratch situation where individuals will need to address basic needs. In other cases, disadvantaged refers to children whose families live below a certain economic level. Again, necessary for children from low-income families’ needs should be addressed to help in their cognitive development (Burger, 2010). Furthermore, the values of the child's culture should be considered, respected, and integrated into any parenting methodologies used to whatever extent possible. Early on, as Native American children were put in reservation sessions, methods, and motivations that are seen as meaningful to the 'white' parents were contrary to the culture of the children. Parents should take some time and children their culture and where they come from to enable them to understand their identity. They should be sure that their basic needs are being met and respect their culture. Parents also need to assume the child can learn, and they are brilliant. They have to let them believe that they are bright and celebrate the smallest steps with them. They should enlist the support of those close to their children, be creative and enthusiastic, and fill lessons with love (Berger, 2018)). Through this, every child can have practical steps to their cognitive and psychological development while growing up regardless of their social, economic status.
References
Berger, K. S. (2018). The developing person through children and adolescents: challenges for caregivers and early childhood psychosocial (11th ed.). Worth Publishers,293-305
Burger, K. (2010). How do early childhood care and education affect cognitive development? An international review of the effects of early interventions for children from different social backgrounds. Early childhood research quarterly, 25(2), 140-165.
Lidman, S. (2019). 1 How to Raise Good Children?. Families, Values, and the Transfer of Knowledge in Northern Societies, 1500–2000 , 66 .
Sege, R. D., Siegel, B. S., ABUSE, C. O. C., & COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH. (2018). Effective discipline to raise healthy children. Pediatrics , 142 (6).
Sunderland, M. (2016). The Science of Parenting: How today’s brain research can help you raise happy, emotionally balanced children . Penguin.
