What can we do to impress the importance of Child development knowledge for possible parents & current parents

Question

Im am a preschool teacher and a parent, and through my education and experience I see how my classes in child development have improved my parenting skills. I think it should be a requirement to be a parent to complete courses in child development before you have children. I beleieve it would cut neglect and abuse dramatically.

Answer 1

I both agree and disagree. I have learned a LOT through child dev, and feel it has made me a much better parent as well. But there is a certain degree of openness that you have to have for it to make you a better parent. Some ideas may contradict ideas learned in the past, and those ideas are highly resistant to change (ex, my mother in law who is a daycare director and thinks she is a child expert and she is NOTNOTNOT--she hasn't applied any of her knowledge of development, just how to raise children in groups from 8-5).

I think it is a good idea, though, just because I think it would help a lot of parents learn about childcare. I definitely think more classes should be offered, and once I finish my master's degree, I would like to teach a few.

Answer 2

I agree with you 100%.
This would cut down on neglect and abuse or at least help the parent who has no idea how to raise a child.
Think about it, we give more attention to subject that we may never ever use in life like: algebra, statistics, music appreciation, and more than we do Child Rearing and How to Be a Great Parent. Parenting classes should be mandatory for anyone having a first child.
It will help alleive stress for the parents and strengthen the bond between child and parents and help insure the child will live a well-rounded normal childhood. And for each parent, I think they must be required to take a parenting class for "teens" as soon as their child reaches 13 ys old. Teens are a whole different experience.
Many parents will balk at these requirements and therefore it must be mandatory. Parents are feeling the pinch of time right now and when asked to put in more they will retiliate. Maybe we can cut down the work week to 30 hours with a higher wages. Then take the other 10 hours per week for training.

Before I had kids I decided to Read every book I could find on Child Development and Parenting. I also took a class on Parenting when my kids were starting to turn into teens. It helped so much so that I would not turn out to be the mother my mother was when I was growning up. I have learned so much that I became a teen mentor.
Lets get our government behind this one for the sake of our kids.

Answer 3

Our school district has a program called Parents As Teachers. It helped with child development aspects, but I'm not sure about a difference on abuse or neglect.

Answer 4

I agree. However, you teach preschool. Child development research says that the teaching methods of most preschools are counter to what kids need. Of course, separation from mommy under age 5 is detrimental to children.

So what it is you want parents to know?

I'd like to know they should breastfeed for years, sleep with their baby, and avoid day care like the plague it is all because of the info about child development i gained as a psych major - ie that babies need their mommy's arms and milk to grow well. anything else is making up for the child not getting those two things.

Answer 5

I totally agree. That would be absolutely great. I am going to be completely positive on this response, because what we think impossible today could be possible someday!