Science proves that being warm, loving and responsive are some of the most important actions parents can take to help their children’s development. Physical affection has actual health and developmental benefits that last throughout their childhood and adulthood.
Quality family time builds stronger, connected families. Family group activities such as cooking, painting, or playing music together promote bonding. Trust, love for one another and create more resilient and self-confident children.
Active listening is when a caregiver listens to their child with the intent to listen and not to jump in and respond. Active listening is important during times of stress and can reduce fear and anxieties.
Play helps children work through stress and worries. Play benefits physical and mental health, and it helps maintain some normality in difficult times.
Demonstrating patience makes children feel cared for and loved. And is key in creating meaningful relationships and good communication.
The benefits of physical activity is well documented by scientists. Incorporating physical activities for the whole family to participate in together can be a great way to have family time and keep active.
One of the most effective ways of improving behaviour is through warmth and well-measured praise. This can be as simple as smiling or giving a thumbs-up sign to show approval.
How to talk to children about dangers, and protect them online. Keeping open and honest communication and building empowerment is key to protecting children online and offline.
Routines (such as shared meals and set bedtimes) help families relieve stress and make children feel safe. It is important to maintain familiar routines during challenging times.
Boredom contributes to children worrying and may increase disruptive behaviors. Children cope better when they are busy and helping others. Parents can provide safe options for activities such as music, arts and crafts, and books, as well as encourage children to stay connected with friends.
'Listen First' is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities. Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.
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“Parents more than ever need proven strategies, based on science, to support how they raise their children. As people are forced to work from home, and as COVID-19 contributes to increased stress, more than ever we need to focus on the needs of the children.”
“I see that supporting science-based substance use prevention with a focus on developing the skills of young people works. I hope that Listen First continues to be seen as a platform to disseminate the science of prevention and to focus on the needs of the most precious resource around the world – children.”
“The involvement of parents is crucial, but also the alertness that some children are at a higher risk. That is why ‘Listen First’ is so relevant because by listening to the child the parents can learn not only what they communicate but also how they communicate it. By listening, we can understand the problems and intervene early on.”
“'Listen First' marks a change of paradigm in the prevention approach. More than 30 countries and organizations from all continents adhered to the initiative, well beyond our expectations, this means that the simple message of Listen First hits right."
“The Listen First campaign nicely summarizes the main messages from the evidence-based family-focused prevention programmes which we have been implementing in Slovenia for almost ten years.”
“Since we cannot be in physical contact with families during COVID-19, we think that supplementing those programmes with pleasant and warm video content is a great solution. It offers us the opportunity to bring to the fore tools or approaches that have a scientific basis and are proven to work. Even in so-called ‘normal’ times.”
“‘Listen First’ is a playful and fun way to disseminate science-based prevention that targets adults widely. The materials help adults to see the importance of establishing an intensive interpersonal relationship with children, giving them their undivided time with consideration for the child's dignity, creativity, and view of the future. Being able to listen to the dreams of children and adolescents could be a real new attitude and change of mentality in education.”
“I think ‘Listen First’ is great. Prevention of substance use is key. It is much more cost-effective, and it prevents a lot of suffering. It's also very difficult for many countries to implement, so this is how ‘Listen First’ can help”
Made possible with the generous support of France.
