Overview
In today’s busy world, many parents and carers are looking for ways to strengthen their bond with their children and support their child's development at home. Whether it’s balancing work and family life or simply wanting to be more engaged with their child’s growth, understanding and enhancing Parent-Child Interaction can be beneficial.
Recognising the different parts of a child's life, including their daily experiences and relationships, is important for creating a positive environment.
Below we will look at the importance of Parent-Child Interaction, its benefits, and practical activities for toddlers that can be easily fit into your daily routine to create a strong relationship with your child.
What is Parent-Child Interaction and Why is it Important?
Parent-Child Interaction is about interacting with your child on a day-to-day basis. These interactions are important for a child’s development and include activities like playing, talking, and looking after them day to day. Understanding these interactions can also help with any worries you have about a child's behaviour.
Parent-Child Interaction is about understanding that children learn and develop through interactions with their main carers, which support their social and emotional development. For example:
- Strengthening your connection promotes a sense of security and trust that support healthy development for your child.
- Interactive play and communication build your child’s understanding of how the world works and stimulates brain development.
- Teaching social skills, such as sharing, empathy, and communication helps children’s ability to form positive relationships with others later in life.
At Karitane, the toddler clinic offers Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This therapy was started by Dr. Sheila Eyberg in the 1970s. PCIT focuses on increasing positive interactions and teaching parents effective discipline techniques through guided sessions with a therapist. Supporting a child's feelings during these sessions creates mutual respect and connection, which is important for healthy emotional development.
Understanding the Importance of Quality Time
Quality time is important for a strong parent-child relationship. Quality time is about engaging in activities that both parent and child find enjoyable and meaningful. This time creates a sense of connection which is important for a child’s emotional and social development. When children feel loved, valued, and understood, this supports positive self-esteem and healthy relationships with others.
What is Quality Time?
Quality time is not just about the amount of time you spend with your child, but the quality of that time. It involves being present and engaged, free from distractions like phones and TVs. This means focusing on the activity you are doing together and truly connecting with your child.
Whether it’s playing a game, cooking a meal together, or going for a walk, it is important to make these moments meaningful and enjoyable for both of you. Creating space for quality time helps you to strengthen the parent-child bond and create lasting memories that your child will cherish.
Simple At-Home Parent-Child Interaction Activities for Toddlers' Development
Engaging in simple activities at home can increase parent-child interaction. Here are some ideas:
- Reading Together: Reading books with your child helps with language development and cognitive skills. Choose age-appropriate books from your local library or bookshop.
- Arts and Crafts: Creative activities like drawing, painting, and making crafts encourage self-expression and fine motor skills.
- Music and Movement: Singing songs and dancing, are fun activities that support physical development.
- Outdoor Play: Spending time outdoors playing games, exploring nature, and engaging in physical activities promotes physical health and gross motor skills.
- Cooking Together: Involving your child in preparing family meals in an age-appropriate way, such as uch as helping to get ingredients, talking about the food you are about to eat teaches practical skills and spending time communicating together.
Supporting parents in these activities can support social-emotional well-being and benefits your child’s development.
Communicating together
Communication is important for your relationship with your child. When children feel heard and understood, they are more likely to share their thoughts and feelings, supporting a positive connection with you. Encouraging communication helps parents better understand their child’s needs, concerns, and emotions, and it also helps in the development of communication skills in children.
Repeating back
When your child is learning to talk, it is helpful to repeat back what they are saying to you. This helps to support their language development, as they will learn more words and also how to say those words by hearing you repeat words back. So, if your child says “lello one” (referring to “yellow ball”) you can repeat back “yes, that’s the yellow ball!”
Managing Challenging Conversations
Challenging conversations are an inevitable part of parenting, but they can be navigated with empathy and effective communication skills. Whether it’s discussing a child’s behaviour, addressing a sensitive topic, or dealing with a difficult emotion, these conversations require a thoughtful approach.
Other Tips to Improve Parent-Child Interaction at Home
- Daily Routines: Establishing consistent routines provides structure and, helps children feel secure and understand what to expect.
- Screen Time/Active Play Balance: While screen time can be educational, it’s important to balance it with active play. Follow guidelines for appropriate screen time based on your child’s age and encourage plenty of physical activity. Nurturing parent-child relationships is important for healthy brain development, contributing to emotional regulation, trust, and safety. Read more about screen time guidelines here (https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/media-technology/screen-time)
- Share mealtimes together and talk about your day and what you enjoyed most about your day
Strengthen Your Parent-Child Bond with Your Child
Enhancing parent-child interaction through at-home activities can benefit your child’s development. For more tips, strategies, and support, please contact us. We also offer PCIT at Karitane for families interested in PCIT with their child.
Our parenting partners are here to guide you and your family.
