Health Tip: Connect With Your Child

— By being sensitive and responsive to your child’s needs, you can forge a positive, healthy relationship, the National Institutes of Health says.

Children who are bonded with their parents are more likely to cope with challenges such as family instability, parental stress and depression, the agency says.

The NIH suggests:

• Reward and praise your child for good behavior.
• Give your child chores, and offer praise for jobs well done. If the child fails, don’t be overly critical and allow time to develop new skills.
• Use kind words, tones and gestures when giving instructions or making requests.
• Spend time every day in warm, positive, loving interaction with your child.
• Identify opportunities to spend time as a family, such as by taking walks or reading books together.
• Brainstorm solutions to problems at home or school together.
• Set rules for mobile device use and television watching.
• Show interest in your child’s feelings, concerns, worries, goals and ideas.
• Participate in activities that your child enjoys. Attend your child’s games, activities and performances.

Posted: September 2018

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