Parenting behaviours that best support a childs development

Middle Childhood

What Key dimensions of parenting - early and middle childhood

• affect (+ & -)

• sensitivity

• positive parent-child interaction

• interactional synchrony

• control/intrusiveness

Affect/warmth

• love and warmth is unconditional

• active expression e.g eye contact, smiling, touches, cuddles, kisses, voice tone

• attentive support for infant distress

• emotional availability

fosters emotional security, builds self-esteem and encourages positive social interactions where children learn that emotions can be safely expressed and understood.

Sensitivity

• understanding parent that can take child’s perspective i.e empathetic

• aware of subtle changes in child’s behaviour

• responds to baby’s needs and signals in a timely and appropriate way

• actions foster relationship harmony in mother-child relationship

these factors provides secure attachment in early childhood and emotional regulation skills as children learn to manage with a supportive adult and create trustful and open communication which are essential for future relationships

interactional synchrony

• responsiveness, engagement and shared emotional connection

• smooth turn taking where both partners take turns leading and following

• mutual attention and coordination without one partner dominating

this supports the child’s emotional and social understanding, and the development of secure relationships

discipline and control are strategies that parents use to:

• maintain obedience

• reduce negative behaviour

• develop into well functioning social individuals

• teach children to be independent and in control of their behaviour

• development into well functioning social individuals

this supports the child’s ability to develop independence while learning appropriate limits (positive impact)

Oxytocin in middle childhood

• while oxytocin-driven bonding is strongest in early life, warmth, physical affection and emotional coaching from caregivers to continue to support oxytocin release in children

• this contributes to a sense of safety and rational security, which is important as children navigate peer relationships

Emotion coaching

• parents support children identify, label and manage their feelings. Through sensitivity, authoritative parenting, warmth/affect

this teaches children to understand and regulate their emotions and emotional intelligence and resilience.

Consistent Availability and warmth

• attachment-based, interactional synchrony

builds secure attachment and gives children a safe emotion base to explire, learn and develop confidence

clear rules and boundaries

• authoritative, discipline and control

helps children lean self-discipline and responsibility - reduces externalising behaviours (like defiance)

emotional co-regulation (calm discussion and presence)

• calming cycle theory, warmth interactional synchrony

• helps children return to emotional balance, increasing emotional resilience and stress tolerance

authoritative parenting

• encourages child to be independent but still places limits and controls on their actions

• extensive verbal give and take is allowed

• parents are warm and nurturant towards the child

• high responsiveness (warmth, affection, emotional support)

• high demanding-ness (clear expectations, consistent rules and structure)

Difference of authoritative parenting than other styles

unlike permissive and authoritarian, authoritative parents are nurturing, communicative and firm. But they set rules and explain the reasons behind them are open to discussion. This supports emotional, behavioural and social development in infancy and early childhood by offering a nurturing, structured and responsive environment. During this critical stage, children develop foundational skills in emotional regulation, attachment, self-control and social interaction

chemical hormones

• oxytocin is known is the bonding hormone and is released during positive parent-child interaction, such as touch and eye contact. It promotes secure attachment, emotional regulation and well-being in children

calming cycle theory co-regulation of oxcytocin

• proposes a theory on how co-regulation between caregiver and infant supports the realise of oxytocin “love hormone”

• helps buffer toxic stress and shows support in a BPS perspective on how being loved and safe is a protective factor of child developmeny

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

• Children learn by observing and imitating the behaviours of people around them (especially parents)

• positive parenting behaviours, such as warmth, emotional responsiveness, consistent discipline and positive communication serve as a powerful model for children

• children raised in supportive environments often develop strong emotional recognition, pro-social behaviour, secure attachment, cognitive skills and fewer behavioural issues.

theory of developmental psychology: past, present and future (miller 2021)

• Miller highlights that development in middle childhood builds upon early relational foundations, but increasingly involves peer influences, moral reasoning and self regulation

• parents must shift toward a more collaborative, scaffolded approach, aligning with Vygotsky’s theory of growing autonomy and Bandura’s focus in observational learning

parenting interventions for early childhood development (Jeong et al 2021)

• Jeong review supports that positive parenting in early years has lasting effects into middle childhood and beyond - improving emotional regulation, academic outcomes and social functioning

• this reinforces the need for continued emotional support and modelling, even as children become more independent