new era ,new parenting
Gone are the days when parenting was done by instinct only .In 2025 parenting is part of science, the world has changed so parenting too. Scientific parenting is the practice of raising kids using evidence backed approaches that support healthy emotional, psychology and cognitive development .it means don’t just do what the older generations are saying follow the new researches which are based on experiments and data.
What is scientific parenting?
The core definition of scientific parenting is parenting guided by science and supported by empathy it means making parenting decisions not just from traditions but from following the evidence which best support a child’s development .scientific parenting is a combination of lot of studies from different fields for example:
- Developmental psychology – It is the study of how human grow change and develop from birth to death ,it focuses on how people think, feel, behave and learn at different stages of life, especially during childhood when development at its peak.
- Attachment theory – it is a science of how early relationships shape a child’s brain, emotion and behavior The way a caregiver responds to a child needs in time of stress builds either a secure attachment or insecure attachment.
- Neuroscience – Neuroscience helps us know how children grow think feel and learn which eventually helps in parenting. It also explain how early experiences of child affect its brain and body .
- Behavioral science – Behavioral science helps us to know how children behave , why they behave that way, and how the surrounding environment helps to behave them in certain way .
- Education research -Education research explores everything from classroom strategies to brain based learning, it also studies how culture technology or trauma affects child learning.
These all above studies laid a strong foundation of scientific parenting .on the basis of above mentioned studies certain laws are made which helps parent to raise their child with evidence and empathy.
Principels of scientific parenting
- Make connection with child before correcting them – children don’t learn well when they are scared or shamed. They learn best when they feel supported.
- Behavior is communication – A child can’t manipulate the things , tantrums or meltdown is there way to communicate their need to you as a parent you have to look beneath that.
- Discipline – Discipline doesn’t mean to hurt it means to teach. Enforce discipline positively which helps the child to grow .Discipline is not about control or punishment it is about teaching, boundaries respect and responsibility
- Brain is still developing – Science says that prefrontal cortex of brain which is responsible for logic ,planning and empathy grows till mid 20s, so a 3 year child can’t manipulate listen them carefully they are still learning.
- Emotional skills grow with practice ,not with age – Scientific parenting teaches emotional skills through modelling, coaching and co-regulation it can not be teach through lectures and punishments.
- Playing is not break from learning – kids learn sharing ,teamwork ,negotiation and empathy from playing. Play helps build neural connections in the brain. Running , jumping and climbing help in strengthen bone and muscles. It improve motor skills and coordination.
- Parent child bond is a child first lesson – Research shows that bond between parents and child shapes child’s future they learn emotional security and self esteem therefore be present ,responsive and connected to your child.
conclusion : scientific parenting adds wisdom to parenting its not about doing it perfectly it is about doing it consciously