HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-07, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1999.
Research looks at raising well-adjusted children
Most parents wish they had a
surefire recipe for raising happy,
lealthy kids. But it's not quite as
simple as copying Granny's famous
chili stew.
The good news is that, like a
recipe,/many ingredients go into
determining how a child turns out.
So, there are many opportunities to
influence the final outcome
positively.
New research shows that
changing the blend of ingredients
in a child's life - family income
.parenting skills, neighbourhood
safety and quality childcare - can
improve a child's prospects. It also
means there are many ways to
make a positive difference - not
just as parents, but as family
members, neighbours, care
providers, health and education
professionals, and governments.
"Investing in children is a priority
for the Government of Canada
because children are the future of
our nation," said Pierre S.
Pettigrew, Minister of Human
Resources Development Canada.
"We can all contribute to the
development of children into eager
learners, productive workers and
involved citizens."
Significant new research on child
development can be found in the
National Longitudinal Survey of
Children and Youth. This
groundbreaking study is monitoring
the well-being of about 23,000
Canadian children as they grow
from infancy to adulthood.
The first wave of survey research
was recently released by Human
Resources Development Canada.
So, whaf did the experts find?
The vast majority of Canadian
children - even those who live in
negative circumstances - are
resilient and healthy, and perform
well academically, psychologically
and socially.
Positive Parenting
The research strongly confirms
that positive parenting is the
foundation of healthy child
development. "Good parents
carefully inonitor their child's
behaviour, provide a warm and
caring environment and encourage
independence " says Dr. Willms,
director, Atlantic Centre for Policy
Research, Education Department,
at the University of New
Brunswick.
Most importantly, good parenting
can reduce the negative impact of
factors like poverty and poor health
- cutting the risk of developmental
problems by 25 - 50 per cent.
While the large majority of
Canadians are good parents,
TRAVEL TIPS
Common sense safety
precautions
(NC)—The same common sense safety
rules apply abroad as at home, only
more so. Foreigners are usually at
greater risk than locals. In many
countries, foreigners are specifically
targeted. Do not wander into unknown
areas; find out how safe they are first.
Do not pick up hitchhikers or cross
borders with people you have just met.
Watch your luggage and make sure it
is locked. Never take anything, even
an envelope, across a border for
someone else.
Do not flash large amounts of
money or expensive jewelry around in
public. Use a money belt or a case
with concealed sections for valuables.
Dress appropriately.
Leave a copy of your itinerary w ith
someone al home so that they can
contact you in case of an emergency.
Telephone home, particularly if you
have promised family members or
overall, there is room for
improvement.
Vulnerable Children
Children who face a number of
risk factors (hostile parenting, poor
health, low income, alcoholism)
also face the highest risk of
developmental problems. Only a
small percentage of children live
with four or more risks but the
relative cost to those individuals
and to society, is high.
This is where the prevention and
early intervention are crucial. And
where good parenting and positive
relationships with teachers, siblings
and friends can mean fhe difference
between a healthy and a troubled
life.
Immigrant children stand out
because they suffer higher poverty
rates but grow and develop at least
as well as Canadian-born children
and often out-perform them at
school.
Family Life
Almost 25 per cent of Canadian
children today live in non-
traditional families and the majority
of them are healthy and well.
"There is, however, a need for
greater sensitivity by parents,
teachers, health professionals and
the community in meeting the
needs of children living in different
family and household
arrangements," says David Ross,
Executive Director of the Canadian
Council on Social Development.
Children in single-parent families
are more likely to repeat grades,
have poorer language skills and
health, and are less likely to get
along well with parents and friends.
Children whose parents have
divorced also have a higher rate of
behavioural or emotional problems.
Frequent moves and changes in
childcare arrangements are
associated with slower verbal
development, low math skills,
failing grades and problem
behaviour.
However, new research shows
that a mother's commitment to a
paid job has little to do with her
child's development. The time a
parent spends with a child, good
parenting skills, and quality
daycare, do.
Good Neighbourhoods
Good neighbourhoods nurture
child development.
The income level in the
neighbourhood is only one fact
associated with stronger child
development. Feelings of safety,
shared values, and a sense of
belonging are other important
factors.
friends that you would do so. The
Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade receives thousands
of calls every year from worried family
members or friends who have not
received a promised call.
.Keep a separate record of your
traveler's cheques and credit cards.
Never carry your passport, travel
tickets, identification documents, cash,
credit cards and insurance papers
together. If you do so, you risk being
left with no identification or funds.
Use lhe safely deposit box at your
hotel. Never leave valuables in ycuir
room.
For more travel tips visit your
nearest passport office, or call the
Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Inquiries Service
al I -800-267-8376, and ask for copies
of a booklet called Bon Voyage But...
- News Canada
Participation in community
programs like sports and arts is also
a positive factor for emotional and
social growth and can actually
protect children from the impact of
other negative factors. The
availability of safe parks,
playgrounds and play spaces in the
community increases this healthy
involvement.
Bad Behaviours
Bully and victim behaviours are
both signs of childhood troubles -
and early warnings of deeper
problems.
Research reveals, surprisingly,
that both bullies and their victims
come from similar home situations:
one where children face multiple
problems like family conflict and
poor parenting. They just react
differently to their situations.
Bullies and victims share an
association with school dropout,
unemployment, depression,
anxiety, criminality and limited
potential in adulthood.
Get a Head Start
New research in neuroscience
shows that between conception and
the age of six, particularly in the
first three years, connections are
being made between the neurons in
a child's brain which will have
strong, lifelong influence on basic
brain capabilities.
J. Fraser Mustard, founding
president and Bell Canada Fellow
of the Canadian Institute for
Advanced Research, says "based on
the work of the Institute's programs
in Population Health and Human
Development, the early period of
child development is the crucial
period for brain development and
as a result, sets the base for
learning, behaviour and health in
later stages of life."
Brain development is driven by
early experiences and stimulation.
Once the critical periods for brain
development have passed, children
who have not received the
necessary, positive stimulation may
have great difficulty overcoming
deficits.
In such cases, providing the child
has not experienced extreme
neglect, early intervention is very
important. Although these children
may never meet their full potential,
their brains can be developed to
compensate.
A healthy start is crucial in
determining how well someone
FORTHCOMING
MARRIAGE
-------------:----;
GODKIN-BLAIR
Marion and Lavem
Godkin of Walton and
Stella and Ron Blair of
Richmond Hill wish to
announce the
forthcoming marriage of
their children
Donna and Cameron.
The wedding ceremony
will take place
Saturday. July 31. 1999
at Forest City National
Golf Club,
London. Ontario./-. J
Carter - Hynd
health due to nutrition, nurturing
and the entire child development
support system.
does in every aspect of life.
Overall, research shows that
children in Canada enjoy good
Making the sale
Shopper (leader) Geoff Armour, right, is not quite sure
that statue Cam Laurie meets his greeting needs as the
pair participate in the statue game during Friday
afternoon’s session of the Blyth Festival Theatre’s youth
workshop. Youngsters in the morning and teens in the
afternoon get involved in theatrical games and creative
play as they practice developing rhyming verse for this
summer’s workshop. Approximately 23 young people
signed up for the workshop.
McLachlan-DuCharme
Mr. and Mrs. Glen
McLachlan of Vanastra
would like to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their daughter
Jennifer McLachlan
to
Stephen DuCharme
the son of Lawrence
DuCharme and the Late
Dorothy DuCharme of
Carlisle.
The wedding is to take
place at Egmondville
United on Saturday, July
10, 1999. Reception to fol
low at Seaforth Arena.
Uledding (Lnneuticetnent
Jim and Dorothy Carter
of Londesboro
and
Dave and Jane Hynd
of Stratford
are extremely pleased to announce
the marriage of their children
Sandy and Todd
The wedding will take place at
Parkview United Church,
Stratford
on
Saturday, July 10, 1999