Raising Well Rounded Children

Being a Good Parent There are several ways to raise happy, well-adjusted kids, however, science has a few tips for ensuring that they turn out okay. From keeping it fun to allowing them leave the nest, here are 10 research-based methods for great parenting.

Live in the moment

Adults have a tendency to always consider the long run, but children -- especially preschool-age kids (ages 2 to 5) -- reside in the here and now, scientists say. To get on a kid's level, parents will need to learn how to reside in the moment, also, said Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development in New York City. This is especially true when it comes to communicating verbally with a child, said Klein, who's also the author of How Toddlers Thrive (Touchstone, 2014). Rather than telling a 3 year old it's time to prepare for some future actions, such as going to college, parents must give their kid a pair of directions, Klein told Live Science at August 2016. Replace ambiguous statements like it's nearly time for college using clear, simple explanations and instructions, such as, We need to leave for college. It's 's time to get your coat.

Strictness has weighty consequences

Playing the role of the strict or controlling parent could have long-term unwanted consequences in your kids 's physical health, according to research published in 2014. Especially, kids of rigorous parents are more likely to be overweight. The researchers found that children ages two to five who had parents that set strict limitations on activities, didn't convey much with their children and didn't reveal them much affection were 30 percent more likely to be obese than their peers whose parents were more affectionate and openly communicated with their kids.

LOL! Joking Helps

Lighten up! Joking with your toddler helps them set them up for societal success, based on research presented at the Economic and Social Research Councils' Festival of Social Science 2011. When parents joke and pretend, it gives young kids the resources to think creatively, make friends and manage stress. So don't hesitate to play court jester -- your children will thank you later. [Top Five Benefits of Play]

Be Positive

No real surprise here: Parents who express negative emotions toward their infants or handle them about are likely to wind up with aggressive kindergartners. This 's bad thing, because behavioral aggression at age 5 is linked to aggression later in life, even toward future romantic partners. So if you end up in a cycle of mad parent, angry baby, angrier parent, attempt to break loose. It'll ease your issues in the long term.