Positive Parenting Tips for Children (6-8 Years)

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CHILDREN (6-8 YRS) DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

Understanding the milestones for each age is important because positive parenting strategies vary based on the child’s needs at certain stages.

Middle childhood brings many changes in a child’s life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball, and tie their shoes.

Developing independence from family becomes more important now. Events such as starting school bring children this age into regular contact with the larger world. Friendships become more and more important.

Physical, social, and mental skills develop quickly at this time. This is a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as friendships, schoolwork, and sports.

EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL
CHANGES (6-8 YEARS)

 

  • Show more independence from parents and family.
  • Start to think about the future.
  • Understand more about his or her place in the world.
  • Pay more attention to friendships and teamwork.
  • Want to be liked and accepted by friends.

POSITIVE PARENTING Techniques for children (6-8 YEARS)

You don’t have to be a perfect parent to make a positive impact on your child. Positive parenting can be as simple as having them assist you with household chores or helping them set goals. Find some ideas for implementing positive parenting with your 6 to 8 year old below.

 

  • Show affection for your child. Recognize his/her accomplishments.
  • Help your child develop a sense of responsibility by asking them to help with household tasks, such as setting the table.
  • Talk with your child about school, friends, and things he/she looks forward to in the future.
  • Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage them to help people in need.
  • Help your child set achievable goals and learn to take pride in himself/herself and rely less on approval or reward from others.
  • Help your child learn patience by letting others go first or by finishing a task before going out to play. Encourage them to think about possible consequences before acting.
  • Make clear rules and stick to them, such as how long your child can watch TV or when he/she has to go to bed. Be clear about what behavior is okay and what is not.
  • Do fun things together as a family, such as playing games, reading, and going to events in your community.
  • Get involved with your child’s school. Meet the teachers and staff and develop an understanding of their learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child do well.
  • Continue reading to your child. As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other.
  • Use discipline to guide and protect your child, rather than to punish them. Follow up any discussion about what not to do with a discussion of what to do instead.
  • Praise your child for good behavior. It’s best to focus praise more on what your child does; For example, “you worked hard to figure this out,” than on traits they can’t change, like “you are smart”.
  • Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage them to solve problems on their own, such as a disagreement with another child.
  • Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as a sports team or volunteer opportunity.

KEEPING YOUR CHILD HEALTHY

 

  • Parents can help make schools healthier. Work with your child’s school to limit access to foods and drinks with added sugar, solid fat, and salt.
  • Make sure your child has 1 hour or more of physical activity each day.
  • Limit your child’s screen time to no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of quality programming.
  • Practice healthy eating habits and physical activity early on. Encourage active play. Be a role model by eating healthy at family mealtimes and having an active lifestyle.

 

YOUR CHILD WILL LIKELY:

 

  • Show rapid development of mental skills.
  • Learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
  • Have less focus on self and more concern for others.
References & Sources
  1. Information Courtesy of CDC.
  2. Positive Parenting Tip Sheet for Children 6-8 Years CDC.

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Positive Parenting Tips for Children (6-8 Years)