Raising a Child — The Foundation of the Future

Raising a child is a process that requires patience and a long-term commitment. Upbringing starts not from the moment the child is born, but from the parents' self-education. Children repeat not what we say, but what we do. A child must believe that the world is safe. If parents approach a child’s fears and feelings with understanding, self-confidence develops in the child. It is very important to show love not only when they do good things, but also when they cry, get angry, or make mistakes, by saying: "We love you anyway!" When talking to a child, parents should avoid blaming. For example: Wrong: "You always keep your room messy!" (Blaming). Right: "It makes me sad that the toys are scattered in the room because it makes it hard to walk. Will you help me pick them up?" (Expressing your own feelings). World-renowned educators (e.g., Janusz Korczak) note that hitting or humiliating a child has no educational value. Such actions can lead to the child becoming fearful and aggressive in the future. If a child intentionally breaks a toy, do not buy a new one. Let them feel the consequence of their action! Another thing to note in child-rearing is freedom. Freedom is not doing whatever you want, but choosing oneself within the framework of discipline. There should be some basic rules at home that are always followed. For example: going to bed at 21:00. Along with freedom, giving a child a choice will yield good results. Small choices like "Do you want to wear your green shirt or the blue one?" increase the child's self-confidence. As we can see, raising a child is not just a daily worry, but a complex material and spiritual structure formed by the combination of science and love. Child-rearing is a long-term investment that requires patience. As educators state, to raise a well-mannered and perceptive child, one does not have to be perfect; being affectionate and attentive is enough.

Advice for parents:

► 1. Be a role model: A child of parents who do not read books will not be interested in reading.

► 2. Quality time: Play with your child for at least 15–20 minutes a day without a phone, giving them your full attention.

► 3. Be patient: The brain needs time to develop. A child makes mistakes not intentionally, but because they are unable to do it yet.

► 4. Value the effort: Saying "You worked very hard for this task, the result will be good" is more useful than saying "You are very talented."

► 5. Respect the child as an individual: A child is a person.