Giving our youth the best chance at success!

By Elise Hardy

We all want our children to grow up to be healthy and happy adults. We want to protect them from things that might hurt them. Here are five ways that researchers have identified to increase the likelihood of health and success for children. 

1. Provide opportunities: give children developmentally appropriate opportunities, such as sports and music, but also could include things like feeding pets, doing chores, and exercising with you.

2. Teach skills: Young people need skills to succeed in life. Teach them how to take care of an animal, learn to read music, practice mindfulness, or many other simple skills.

3. Provide specific praise and recognition for effort, improvement, and achievement. When you see a young person succeeding, even in small ways, praise them in the way that they will appreciate best. This might look like sending them a note or telling them how good they did in an individual setting, or it might look like giving them a public shout-out at an award ceremony.

4. Promote positive bonding: Youth need a sense of belonging and attachment. Bonding can occur with family members, teachers, neighbors, or coaches. It looks like friendship and connection. 

5. Set clear standards for behavior: share and model healthy behaviors. If something isn’t healthy for young people, let them know. Try to share in a natural conversation around the dinner table or in the car when you pick them up from activities. 

Doing these 5 simple things will help young people have the chance of the best outcomes in life. You’re not just raising a child, you’re shaping a future. 

Citation: https://depts.washington.edu/sdrg/rb23-the-social-development-strategy-201905/