There is a lot of knowledge available about raising children, and it can be difficult to know what to believe. Don’t fear, your pediatrician is here to help! We spoke with experts and other groups to get their recommendations on how to best nurture your child’s physical, social, and emotional development during his or her first 18 years.
Nurture Your Child’s Physical, Social, and Emotional Growth
It’s important to nurture your child’s physical, social, and emotional development. This can be done by making sure that your child has the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that will help them become healthy adults in the future.
Physical development includes:
• Strength and flexibility
• Motor skills
Social development includes:
• Communication skills
Emotional development includes:
Pediatricians can tell you what your kid needs at each age. Consult with your Lou Hampers. If you’re concerned about your child’s health, nutrition, sleep, conduct, or safety.
You Should Trust Your Instincts About How To Raise Your Child
Trust your parenting instincts. Ask for help—you know them best. If a doctor disagrees with your viewpoint or your child’s best interests, get another opinion—and then another. Lou Hampers, MD, advises prioritizing family over ego. Multiple views help us understand.
Early Healthy Habits Protect Your Kids From Disease And Injury
Healthy habits are crucial for overall health, and developing them at a young age can help protect your kids against disease and injury. Here are some examples of healthy habits to encourage in your child:
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Get enough sleep each night.
Limit screen time daily or weekly and keep to it! To ensure everyone gets enough sleep without feeling tired during the day from staying up late viewing TV or playing video games, you may want to ban screen time during meals and before bedtime.
Parents Can Learn From Many Sources, Not Just from Pediatricians
When making choices for your child, pediatricians should be one of many voices. While doctors are trained in medicine and have access to medical journals and textbooks, they may not be familiar with cultural norms or community programs in your area, which can affect children’s physical and emotional development over time.