The Protective Factors are strengths all families have and can build upon that support resilient, thriving children and families. They are:

• Parental Resilience
• Nurturing & Attachment
• Concrete Support in Times of Need
• Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
• Social & Emotional Competence of Children
• Social Connections

These factors help to reduce stress, enhance wellbeing, and support parent-child relationships which are foundational for healthy development in children. This month, our focus is on Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development. Understanding child development and parenting skills can help parents support their children’s healthy development and achieve their full potential.

Research shows that parents with more knowledge about child development and parenting are more likely to engage in positive parenting practices and have better outcomes for their children. This protective factor is helpful in understanding your child’s unique needs. Also, when we know what to expect, we can be a better parent to our child.

What parents do and how they treat children is often a reflection of the way they were parented. Acquiring new knowledge about parenting and child development enables parents to reflect on the impact of their experiences on their own development and their current parenting practices. This can then allow the parent to consider that there may be more effective ways of guiding and responding to their children.

Parenting Communities activities such as playgroups, parent education classes, the parent lending libraries, newsletters, and home visits offer parents a range of ways to learn more about child development and effective parenting skills.