How Parents Influence Their Children's Social Development

Parents influence their children's social development in many ways. First, most children inherit not only their parents' looks but some of their characteristics. Children's social development is connected to what they learn about themselves in their families. In some cases, inheritance has a very deep influence on a child.  Information from scientists and psychologists confirms this fact. The second way that parents influence their children is by what they say to them, especially when something concerns the child directly.

Words can have a lasting effect on a child parents who are constantly berating and criticizing their child will probably find that the child has low self esteem and may suffer from depression as an adult.  On the other hand, giving plenty of affirmations and praise is a sign of good parenting. Child psychologists can often tell whether or not a child has received affirmation and praise in the important years between 7 and 18.

So, two ways of parenting a happy child can result if the parents themselves are more inclined to be happy – praise and affirmation are also ways in which parents influence their children and are methods of parenting a happy child. The final and most important way in which parents influence their children is by their actions. You may have heard the expression don't do as I do, do as I say, but, generally speaking, children will eventually do what you do.

If you tell a child to be polite but you don’t say please and thank you to them, they will end up not being polite. Children's social development depends on how it is modeled by parents. If you expect a child to say sorry when they are in the wrong but you don’t say sorry when you are in the wrong, they will follow your example. If they are impolite and unapologetic, they will not be a happy child because they will not be liked.

What Positive Things Can Parents Do to Have Happy Children

Positive parenting is the best kind of parenting if you want happy kids with good social skills. Children are much happier with a settled routine. Even though they might resist this in the teenage years, it gives them a feeling of security. Try not to argue in front of your children. Always praise a child’s achievements, let them know that they are loved. The idea of using positive affirmations for your child development strategy is to instill a strong sense of self and a positive sense of worth for him or her to draw on at anytime.

Don’t call your child stupid, naughty, dirty, etc. Instead, say things like "that was a silly thing to do" and "that was a naughty thing to do". That way you are criticizing the action rather than making statements about the child's character. Spend some quality time with your child when you can really listen to them.

Use written affirmations with the "I Treasure You" notecards. Read them to your child and let your child keep them and read them again and again. When you convey a positive attitude toward your child, he or she will feel that you are on his/her side.

Why Are Children Important?

Children are important because they are the future. It is important to bring up an emotionally secure child – information on why this is important can be found everywhere. An emotionally secure child will function better as an adult – they will find it easier to repeat positive patterns with their own child, parents who bring up happy children make the world a better place.

How Do Parents Shape a Child’s Social Development Through Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence?

Parents are the primary architects of their child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. One of the hallmarks of good parenting child psychologists agree on is a confident and secure child – one who knows the value of themselves as a person. Parents do this in the following ways:

• Praise
• Consistency
• Criticizing the action not the person
• Acceptance
• Stability
• Love

In addition to the above things parents can shape a child's self-esteem and self-confidence by being willing to allow their child to take risks – that is to say to do the things that children do such as ride a bike, learn to swim, go out with friends. Recognize that your child is an individual in his or her own right and be willing to let go when the time comes. That way you will have participated in effective children's social development that produces a happy child who still wants your company as an adult.