Ten Science-Based Skills to Raise Happy Healthy Children
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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“UNODC places children at the centre of all our work and supports countries in creating the necessary conditions to promote child participation and civic engagement in decision-making processes that will affect children. Initiatives such as “Listen First” contribute to acknowledging that everyone has a role to play in the well-being of children. Listening to children is a crucial step in preventing and responding to violence against children”
“In 2020-21, UNODC focused ‘Listen First’ to support parenting during the stressful times of COVID-19, to invest in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.”
“‘Listen First’ presents a unique opportunity for mutual cooperation for all institutions and organizations [related to] child education and drug policies … [which] enables the involvement of the whole society in raising awareness … [and] contributes to the health of children and the health of society as a whole.”
“‘Listen First’ takes the next step in educating not only prevention professionals but also other professionals who may be in contact with parents or children who may benefit from evidence-based prevention interventions.”
Made possible with the generous support of France.
