Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development is the ability to exercise effective parenting strategies to guide and know what to expect as children develop in multiple domains (physical, cognitive, language and social and emotional). Parents who understand the usual course of child development are more likely to provide their children with developmentally appropriate limits, consistent rules and expectations, and opportunities that promote independence. Being a great parent is part natural and part learned. All parents face challenges and need advice along the way.

What Does Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Look Like?

  1. Understanding and encouraging healthy development
  2. Ability to respond and manage child's behavior
  3. Understanding and demonstrating age-appropriate parenting skills in expectations, discipline, communication, protection and supervision
  4. Child responds positively to the caregivers’ approaches
  5. Parent understands and values their parenting role
  6. Parent has a reliable source for parenting information when issues come up
  7. Parent knows how to encourage social-emotional development and apply a range of age appropriate disciplinary strategies
  8. Parent is involved in their child’s school, preschool or other activities
  9. Parent understands the child’s specific needs (especially if the child has special developmental or behavioral needs)

Questions to Ask Yourself: 

  1. What does your child do best and what do you like about your child?
  2. What do you like about parenting? What do you find challenging about parenting?
  3. How have you learned about parenting skills?
  4. How do you continue to learn about your child’s development?
  5. What has helped you learn about yourself as a parent?
  6. Are there things that worry you about your child’s development or behavior?
  7. Have other people expressed concern about your child?

You already know a lot about being a great parent, but there's always more to learn. By understanding how children develop physically and emotionally, you can know what to expect as your kids grow up. You can also learn from other parents (as well as experts) effective strategies for handling kids' challenging behaviors without harsh punishment.

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