22 tips for bringing up a happy child
From parents to grandparents to aunties and uncles, all family want the youngest generations to live a happy life. But how do we ensure they do?
Let’s look at the advice from one of the most influential books on early childhood development. Authored by Masaru Ibuka in 1971, Kindergarten is Too Late was revolutionary at the time for suggestion that the most significant human learning occurs from birth to three years old. It’s not to say children cannot be educated after three (that’s obviously not true), but Ibuka’s claim that learning should begin before three was ground-breaking. The book’s lessons have since become the norm of conduct for the loving and caring parents.
In the book, Ibuka writes, “The main goal of early development is raising happy children. The child is allowed to listen to good music and learn a foreign language, not in order to cultivate a linguist or musician. The main thing to develop a child’s boundless opportunities to have more joy in his life and in the world.”
Here are 22 top tips from Ibuka’s book Kindergarten is Too Late.
- From early childhood, surround kids with mankind’s best achievements. Listen to classical music, show children art and read them works of literature. They might not understand now, but it all helps.
- Hug children as much as possible. Physical gestures of affection will only benefits kids, as tactile communication is important for the intellectual development of a child.
- Don’t talk down to children. Kids can understand everything, so speak to them using normal language.
- Encourage children to communicate and socialise with other children. It stimulates children’s minds, competiveness and aspirations to be the best.
- Don’t punish children from quarrelling. Little disagreements with other children are part of a kid’s first experience in a social group and develop communication skills.
- Every child can be good studies. It all depends on the teaching method. Teach children something new every day.
- Don’t argue in front of children. Kids can feel the negative energy and know that something is wrong.
- Let kids be involved in as many creative activities as they life. Everything they do will help develop their intelligence and creative potential.
- Take care when giving praises or punishments. Praise children for good reasons and punish rarely.
- Don’t impose your own vision of what is bad and what is good on children. Let kids learn to distinguish between good and bad, with a little help along the way.
- Maintain a child’s interest in anything they enjoy. Make sure you create the conditions for their interests to flourish.
- Repeat any new things the child has learned. It fosters development of the kid’s brain for learning.
- Don’t consider a child’s fantasies to be silly. The ability to fantasise and dream helps develop a child’s creative potential.
- Develop the child’s tactile sensitivity. Let kids touch objects of different materials and textures – soft and hard items, light and heavy ones and smooth and rough ones.
- Don’t buy everything the child asks for. Too many toys distract children’s attention.
- Help develop kids’ fine motor skills. Let children explore toys and games with their fingers.
- Don’t worry about the result of activities. It’s the process that is important for childhood development, not the result. Let children enjoy the process.
- Don’t force children to do anything against their will. It will undermine the child’s faith in themselves.
- Surround children with the people you want them to grow up to be. The people who are around children play the determining role in their development. Genes are of secondary importance.
- Both parents are important in the child’s development. The father’s role should be as important as a mothers, and the relationship between parents should be harmonious.
- Encourage your child to think outside the box. Standards develop only standard people.
- Before bringing up the child, parents should bring up themselves.
Related links:
3 simple tips for a happier family
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