Parenting and Child Development
“Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories. “ -John Wilmot
Why is it important to be a knowledgeable parent?
Young children develop quickly and it can be difficult for parents to keep up with all the changes that are happening. Despite this, being an expert on your child is an important part of parenting. When a parent has a good understanding of normal child development they are better equipped to discipline fairly, know when to seek help if development is not happening, and feel more confident about their skills.
A lack of parenting skills and knowledge of development can lead to poorly adjusted children, frustrated parents or even child abuse and neglect. Fortunately, all parents are capable of learning more about effective parenting and child rearing.
Tips for Parents on Parenting and Child Development
Click on the following links to download printable parent tip sheets on parenting and child development:
Parenting and Child Development Resources:
The four links below are trusted websites that can be used to find information on a variety of topics. For information about how to find accurate sources and how we chose these sites visit our Trusted Sources page.
- Zero to Three
- Tufts University Child and Family WebGuide
- KidsHealth
- University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development
The following links will take you away from the PCAT Parents website. Each page we link to has been evaluated for accuracy, but links found on those pages have not.
Discipline
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System – Am I Spoiling My Child?
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Children and Lying
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Children Who Steal
- Center for Evidence-Based Practice – Solutions for Families
- Iowa State University Extension – Temper Tantrums
- Iowa State University Extension – Sibling Rivalry
- University of Illinois Cooperative Extension – What is Developmentally Appropriate?
- Washington State University Extension – Children: Guidance and Discipline (English)
- Washington State University Extension – Children: Guidance and Discipline (Spanish)
- Ohio State University Extension – Discipline and Your Child
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension – The Ages and Stages Approach
Divorce and Single Parenting
- Montana State University Extension Service – Building Strong Single-Parent Families
- National Network for Child Care – Divorce Matters: Coping with Stress and Change
- National Network for Child Care – Divorce Matters: A Child’s View
- KidsHealth – Tips for Divorcing Parents
- KidsHealth – Helping Your Child Through A Divorce
- KidsHealth – Becoming a Stepparent
- University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension – Single Parenting: Building Strong Families
- University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension – Parenting Alone Common Questions
- University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension – Co-Parenting After Divorce
- University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension – You Are a Family
Find additional resources from University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension here: http://extension.unh.edu/Family/Parent/PARSP.htm
Fatherhood
- KidsHealth – Becoming a Father
- KidsHealth – A Guide for First Time Parents
- National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse – Fathers and Education
- National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse – Father Absence
- National Fatherhood Initiative – 10 Ways to Be a Better Dad
- The National Long Distance Relationship Building Institute – 20 Long Distance Activities for Dads at a Distance
- Texas Office of the Attorney General – Maps for Dads: A Guide to Taking Care of Your New Baby
Learning and Education:
- American Association of Pediatrics – Literacy Toolkit
- University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences – Building Baby’s Brain: Learning Languages
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension – Communicating with Your Baby through Play
- Birth – 3 months: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cy/other/fs9208.pdf
- 3-6 months: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cy/other/fs9209.pdf
- 6-9 months: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cy/other/fs9210.pdf
- 9-12 months: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cy/other/fs9211.pdf
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension – Creating Reading Readiness
- Ohio State University Extension – Get Off to A Good Start
- GreatSchools.Net – What is an IEP?
- InfoPlease.Com – Homework Center
- National Education Association – Summer Home Learning Recipes
- University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences – Building Baby’s Brain: The Role of Music
- National Network for Child Care – Activities for Infants
- Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension – 101+ Ways to Keep Kids Busy
- KidsHealth – Help Your Child Get Organized
Milestones
- University of Michigan Health System – Your Child: Developmental Milestones
- Pathways Awareness Foundation – Physical Development Milestones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Developmental Milestones
- Tumblon.Com – Milestones
Social and Emotional Development
- PBS Parents – Social and Emotional Development
- Zero to Three – Helping Your Toddler Develop Empathy
- Zero to Three – Responding to Uncomfortable Questions
- Zero to Three – Common Toddler Fears
- Zero to Three – Raising a Thankful Child
- Zero to Three – Social-Emotional Development From Birth to Three
- Birth – 1 year: http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/ffn_-_socemot_-_012_-_par.pdf?docID=6661&AddInterest=1503
- 1 – 2 years: http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/ffn_-_socemot_-_12to24_-_parents.pdf?docID=6662&AddInterest=1503
- 2 – 3 years: http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/ffn_-_socemot_-_24to36_-_parents.pdf?docID=6663&AddInterest=1503
- American Academy of Pediatrics – Understanding Your Child’s Temperament
- American Academy of Pediatrics – Supporting Your Child’s Self-Esteem
