Parenting beyond babyhood

Parenting beyond babyhoodSophie LiningtonFamily & Parenting Institute

RESEARCH & POLICY FOR THE REAL WORLD

PARENTING BEYOND BABYHOOD

Sophie Linington, Development OfficerFamily and Parenting Institute

Who we are and what we do

• The Family and Parenting Institute is an independent charity guided by a board of trustees working to champion families

• We are working for a family friendly society which recognises the whole family, values families in all their diversity, and promotes conditions which enable families to thrive

• We draw on research and evidence to influence policy and offer practical solutions to make society more family friendly

RESEARCH & POLICY FOR THE REAL WORLD

FROM BABY TO TODDLER

Understanding your growing child

Raising happy children

• Why play matters

‘What children (and young people) do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons.’

Play England’s Charter for Children’s Play

Raising happy children

• Talking and listening

‘Children who are able to

understand others and express

their thoughts and feelings are

more likely to have good relationships with other people and strong self esteem’

How to Talk to your Baby, Dorothy P Dougherty

Raising happy children

• Exploring and growing up

‘In essence this role (of parent) is one of being available, ready to respond when called upon to encourage and perhaps assist, but to intervene actively only when clearly necessary.’

A Secure Base, John Bowlby

RESEARCH & POLICY FOR THE REAL WORLD

CHALLENGING TIMES

Facing and managing difficulties

Top tips for…

• The arrival of a new baby

• Playing and sharing

• Separation anxiety

• Rage and frustration

A final thought…

‘Mothers with babies are dealing with a developing, changing situation; the baby starts off not knowing about the world, and by the time they have finished their job the baby is grown up into someone who know about the world and can find a way to live in it, and even to take part in the way it behaves. What a tremendous development!’

The Child, the Family and the Outside World, D.W.Winnicott