FOR FURTHER READING How Parents Enhance a Child's Development |
The nurture and love of parents plays a crucial role in a child's health and development.
According to an American Psychological Association report, "during early life, a child's parents are often the primary source for developing a sense of self-worth and learning effective ways of exercising personal control."
HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER
Parental involvement is essential in the positive development of a child. Renowned psychologist and co-founder of the Head Start program, Urie Bronfenbrenner, has written that "the family seems to be the most effective and economical system for fostering and sustaining the child’s development." He noted that without crucial parental involvement, "intervention is likely to be unsuccessful."
| "Exposure to parental support in childhood appears to be associated with indicators of both psychological and physical health..." Dr. Benjamin A. Shaw School of Public Health |
Children with support from parents have a better chance of having good health throughout life, even as they move onto parenthood themselves. Dr. Benjamin A. Shaw of the School of Public Health says that "exposure to parental support in childhood appears to be associated with indicators of both psychological and physical health" as a child approaches adulthood.
AN IRREPLACEABLE RELATIONSHIP
The vital child-parent relationship impacts a myriad of areas in a child's life--helping a child to grow, succeed, and live a successful life. It has been shown to positively impact not only a child's health and development, but also their educational progress, as well as life choices. It is a relationship that is irreplaceable in the life of a child.
SOURCES
Shaw, Benjamin A., Neal Krause, Linda M. Chatters, Cathleen M. Connell, and Berit Ingersoll-Dayton , "Emotional Support from Parents Early in Life, Aging, and Health"
Family Involvement Makes a Difference: Family Involvement in Middle and High School Students' Education
