Co-funded project "Baby's Dowry"

4 Ensuring the safety of a child • Parents should ensure that their children are protected from any kind of danger. This includes protection from adults, or other children or even self-destructive behaviour. • Parents should acknowledge potential dangers in the house (e.g a turned on oven), and take all necessary precautions. Emotional development • Parents should ensure that the emotional needs of their children are met, in order for their children to experience a sense of uniqueness and a positive sense of who they are. Ensuring the emotional needs of a child is of major importance, as the child is able to have caring, stable and affectionate relationships with adults who are important in his/her life and who show sensitivity to his/her needs. • Parents should hug, be sensitive towards their children’s needs, treat them with affection and accept their child for who he/she is. They should praise them when needed, and encourage them to believe in themselves. Children should also be encouraged to form bonds with adults who love them and want to be part of their life. Guidance and setting limits A child should be encouraged to exert self-control and be autonomous, and this can only be accomplished through guidance and setting of limits. • Setting limits When parents set limits, children can develop a sense of safety, for themselves and other, and this can help them build their self-esteem. Setting limits should be set according to a child’s age and his/her abilities. • Be firm Before setting a limit, you have to be sure about why you are setting it and discuss it with your partner. Talk to your child and agree on limits in advance. • Be consistent Parents should be consistent in setting limits and should maintain them so that their child realises how important they are.