How to raise kiddos successfully( understanding the psychology behind it)

Nala Sakura

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Introduction 

Understanding Child Psychology 

How It Sets The Foundation for Positive Parenting 

Foundations of Child Psychology 

The Three Domains of Child Development 

Theories of Child Development 

Mid-Twentieth Century Theories 

Sigmond Freud and His Psychoanalytic Perspective 

Piaget and His Cognitive Development Theory 

Behaviorism and Social Learning 

John Watson(1878-1958) and the Theory of Behaviorism 

B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) and His Operant Conditioning Theory 

Albert Bandura and the Social Learning Theory 

Lev Vygotsky and His Sociocultural Perspective on Cognitive Development 

Biological Foundations in Child Development 

Genetics and Heredity + Environment 

Nutrition as a Biological Factor 

Gender as a Biological Factor 

Developmental Milestones in a Child 

Developmental Table 

Prenatal Development 

How to Nurture a Life Before Birth 

The Prenatal Stage: The Journey of Life Before Birth 

Prenatal Development: Conception and Fetal Development 

Prenatal Care and Influences on Development 

What Can Parents Do to Prevent Teratogenic Effects on Their Unborn Children? 

Guiding Parents Through Infancy 

A Newborn is Organized 

What is a Newborn Reflex? 

How Can Reflexes Help Parents Understand the Infant? 

A Parental Guide to Newborn Reflexes and What They Mean 

What is SIDS? 

Causes of SIDS 

Other Risk Factors for SIDS 

Precautions to Prevent SIDS 

Should You Co-sleep With Your Infant Children? 

Cultivating Strong Bonds with Infants 

What is a Secure Attachment Bond? 

Secure Attachment is Not Love 

How to Create a Secure Attachment With a Child? 

Happy Toddlers Make Happier Adults 

Ages and Stages of a Toddler and a Pre-Schooler 

The Stages of Child Development from the Understanding of a Child 

Parenting Through the Toddler Years 

Safety Around Toddlers 

Who Are the Preschoolers? 

Practicing Safety Around Preschoolers 

Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds 

Development During the Middle Childhood Years 

Psychodynamic and Psychosocial Theories Explaining Middle Childhood Years 

Sigmond Freud and Erik Erikson 

Physical Growth During Middle Childhood Years 

Childhood Obesity 

Social Influence and Bullying 

Adolescence: Only Storm and Stress, or the Age of Opportunities? 

Theories on Adolescence 

Piaget's Theory: The Formal Operational Stage 

Understanding the Adolescent Brain 

How Long Does Adolescence Last? 

Laurence Steinberg Labels Adolescence as the Age of Opportunity 

Changes in Social Behavior and Peer Group Influence During Adolescence 

The Role of Parents During Adolescence 

Effective Communication: Are You Listening? 

How Do You Effectively Communicate? 

Active Listening vs. Other Reactions 

Validation and Empathy Develops Trust 

Open Communication With Clarity and Honesty 

Positive Reinforcement Encourages Good Behavior 

Disciplining With Empathy 

Instilling Discipline Through Teaching Rather Than Punishment 

Psychological Disorders in Childhood and How to Recognize the Signs 

Mental Health Disorders in Children 

Anxiety Disorders 

Mood Disorders 

Behavioral Disorders 

Conduct Disorders (CD) 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) 

Why Do Behavior Disorders Happen? How Do Parents know the Risks? 

Neurodevelopmental Disorders 

A Few Tips for Parents of Children with Psychological Disorders 

Screen Smart: How to Balance Screen and Real Experiences in Today's World? 

What Does Too Much Screen Do to a Child's Brain? 

Children Often Develop Tunnel Vision 

Learning Abilities On-Screen and Off-Screen 

When Should Children Start Watching Screens? 

Children, too, Have Screen Time Expectations From Their Parents 

Positive Parenting: Warm, Affectionate, and Consistent 

Parenting Styles and Their Impact on Children 

What is Positive Parenting? 

Positive Parenting Techniques That Help in Personal Development and Self-Growth 

Attachment Theory: Positive Parenting Can Start as Early as Infancy 

Today's Children are Tomorrow's People 

Encouraging Independence in Children 

Children Should Learn Self-Help Skills 

Give Them Age-Appropriate responsibilities 

Their Battles Are Their Own 

Parents Should Discipline With Natural Consequences 

Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and Managing a Child's Emotions 

Learning and Developing Self-Control 

How to Enhance a Child's Emotional Intelligence? 

Incorporating Moral Lessons into Everyday Life 

Conclusion 

Glossary 

References 

Introduction

Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what they believe is what they will become.

–Brooke Hampton

Understanding Child Psychology

Parenting, sincerely speaking, is the most beautiful chaos in our lives. Without a doubt, it is a journey of epic proportions, marked by intense moments of joy and growth, while at the same time being, perhaps, the most challenging role one may ever take on!

A parenting journey begins when you welcome a child into your life—whether through biological birth, adaption, or as a caregiver. This decision is never casual, because it carries the mammoth responsibility of guiding and nurturing the next generation. Therefore, parenting approaches and techniques affect not just our children's lives, but also the holistic future of society.

But with this, comes the next important question:

where is the manual?

Honestly, there isn't one. With parenting, it is never a one-size-fits-all. There is no rule book to teach perfect parenting. Nor do parents need to be perfect to raise a child. But over time, with research and powerful evidence-based studies, there is now a more solid understanding of child psychology, and how a particular style of parenting, environment, and upbringing affects a child, as well as strong advice and insights into what works and what usually doesn't.

At the heart of any parenting lies the importance of adjusting to the child. This primarily means adjusting to how he/she is, and how you are with them. As you spend more time with them, this adjustment becomes a natural progression, a form of personal growth.

While there is no perfect approach, in recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of positive parenting—a style of parenting that is rooted in empathy, communication, and mutual respect.

Positive parenting is more a philosophy than a trend or style. It highlights the importance of emotional health as a crucial factor in the child's development. Positive parenting allows parents to build strong, supportive relationships with their children based on love, cooperation, understanding, and respect. It also recognizes the importance of a supportive environment where children feel valued, heard, and empowered enough to express their thoughts without threat or fear of prejudice or judgment.

Positive parenting focuses on instilling discipline through teaching, rather than punishing. A child should not be scared, or shamed to force compliance in them, rather taught life skills, emotional regulation, and empathy through a nurturing environment. That way, parents can help their children grow self-discipline, and make positive choices independently. It is more about setting clear, consistent boundaries, communicating openly, and leading by example.

It is not as hard as it sounds. Parents are raising living... breathing lives. Therefore, it is also important to enjoy the ride.

In this book, we will explore the principles and practices of positive parenting with the help of child psychology, its theories, principles, research, and advice from some renowned psychologists. Drawing on the knowledge and wisdom of experts in child development, psychology, and parenting—as well as the lived experiences of real families—this book aims to empower parents with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to navigate the complexities of modern-day parenting.

Most importantly, this book is a reminder that parenting is a journey of growth and discovery for both parents and children.

Together, let us embark on this journey of parenthood with courage and conviction, knowing that we have the power to shape a brighter future for our children.

Foundations of Child Psychology

Each time one prematurely teaches a child something he could have discovered himself, that child is kept from inventing it and consequently from understanding it completely. –Jean Piaget

Every parent dreams of nurturing happy, thriving children. Sounds easy, right? Not quite so. Raising a child is like navigating a complex maze—challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. Over the years, parents have strived to master the art of good parenting, experiencing the joys of understanding their children, and, at the same time, the frustration that comes with not always knowing what they need.

Data shows how parents have heavily relied on guidance from parenting books, classes, and doctor's advice, and have even relied on nosy neighbors and distant relatives who always seem to know the best about how to raise a child. However, understanding child psychology is a key part of this adventure.

By definition, child psychology is the study of the development of a child through the complex and fascinating journey from their birth up till their adulthood. It encompasses a spectrum of growth, including physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional, and even social development that affects a child's growth as he develops into an adult. Therefore, the