Violence Prevention Strategies:What parents can do to encourage healthy development in children

By Tribal News Writers

We all want our children to develop in healthy ways, both physically and emotionally. It’s not enough just to protect our children from taking part in violent behaviors.

Many protective factors have been found to promote healthy development and decrease violence among young people. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are some steps parents can take to help their children develop the ability to rebound when faced with adversity and encourage good mental health:

-   Give your children love and attention every day.

-   Show your children appropriate behaviors by the way

    you act.

-    Listen to and talk with your children – about anything

    – to develop an open, trusting relationship.

-     Reward your child for good behavior or a job well done.

-    Establish clear and consistent limits and rules.

-    Do not hit your children.

-    Know where your children are, what they are doing

    and with whom.

-   Communicate with teachers and be involved in your

    children’s school.

-    Set high expectations for your children.

-    Create opportunities for your children to be contributing

    members of the family and community.

-    Know your children well enough to recognize the

    warning signs of unusual behavior.

-    Know when to intervene to protect your children.

-   Get help if you think you need it.

-    Make sure your children don’t have access to guns,

    drugs or alcohol.

-    Teach your children ways to avoid becoming either a

    victim of violence or a bully.

-   Learn ways to avoid conflict in the family; learn about

    and use anger-control techniques, if necessary.

-    Monitor the media to which your children are

    exposed.

-   Encourage your children’s understanding of your

    family’s cultural traditions and values.

Research has shown that children whose parents are highly involved with them reach higher levels of education and financial independence than children whose parents are not highly involved.

Parental involvement with youth is also associated with better mental well-being and lower levels of criminal behaviors.

Source: SAMHSA (material has been adapted).

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