Developing Your Parenting Skills

Parenting is a difficult task in and of itself, and it can be especially challenging when you have a child with a learning disability. It’s important to develop your parenting skills throughout your parenting journey. As a parent, you’re responsible for giving your child the social and emotional tools they need in life, so make sure that you’re as prepared as possible to be a strong support system.

Children start developing a sense of self from a young age, and parents have a huge impact on how they see themselves. Your tone of voice, body language, words, and actions are absorbed by your child and help develop their self-esteem. Choose your words carefully, and be compassionate and positive. You can help your child boost their self-esteem by seeking out their strengths, giving them the parental support they need to foster their skills. Praising their accomplishments (or even just their efforts) and reinforcing that your child is doing well cultivates desired behaviors by making them feel capable and strong.

Taking breaks between tasks and activities is beneficial to both you and your child. This allows you both to relax and re-focus so you’re able to remain engaged while doing tasks. Children with learning difficulties especially need time to take a breath and give their brains a break. By providing such breaks, you’re also encouraging healthy mental and physical habits for your child and emphasizing that it’s ok to go at your own pace.

Be an advocate for your child. This may be easier said than done, but there might be times you need to speak up for your child to make sure they’re getting the special help and support they need. The key here is to be a proactive parent and know how to communicate effectively for your child’s benefit. When necessary, have a meeting with your child’s teacher to clarify any needs for special help. Being a strong yet reasonable beacon for your child is crucial - and can make a major difference in your child’s life.

These are just a few tips in developing your parenting skills, but slowly implementing these practices (and more!) will make a huge impact on your child’s life. Make sure you pat yourself on the back, as parenting is a learning process and nothing is picture-perfect. You’ll quickly learn what works best for your child and how you can help them effectively. As your child grows and develops, you will also grow as a parent.