Satisfying the specific needs of the child
There are six specific needs every parent should satisfy their child with and they include:
Safety and security
Before the arrival of a new born, there are certain adjustments that should be made to the household regardless of whether or not they will be needed at that particular point in time. This will ensure that the child will have be in a safe environment and that everything will be ready for them once they begin to crawl, walk etc. Along with this, parents should provide a constant access to shelter for their child until they are ready to move out and ensure that the shelter will keep their child safe.
The safety devices that should be set up for a new born include:
- Installing baby monitors in the room of the new born and in the places where you mostly are around the house in order to keep an eye on the child
- Installing safety gates will ensure that the child is safe once they begin learning how to crawl/walk and that the chances of them going up/down the stairs and even outside is very limited
Once the child becomes a little older, there are more things that a parent can do in order to ensure their safety and security such as setting boundaries and rules. For example, when the child reaches the age of 12, the begin to start wanting to go places with their friends etc. as a parent, one usually becomes worried about their child going out for the first time. Setting boundaries and rules as to where they can go, who they can go with and a curfew will reduce the chances of the child being put in any sort of danger.
Health
Ensuring the health of the child begins way before the child is born and starts with the mother. The mother should take care of herself before and throughout the pregnancy in order to protect the baby's health however, more information on this can be found here. The things that parents can do in order to ensure the child's health from the time they are conceived till they're independent include:
- Applying for Medicare allows the child to visit the doctor and have most costs covered by the government. Applying for this before the child is born will ensure it be ready to use when the child needs it
- Providing adequate nutrition for the child at a young age allows them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By teaching the child what is healthy and unhealthy, it is easier for them to make the right choices as they grow up and develop
- Providing adequate hygiene routines such as bathing and showering ensures that the child is clean and minimises the chances they have in becoming sick
Employment
Satisfying the need of employment applies to mostly those over the age of 16 as that is the age where most teenagers begin seeking employment. It is important as a parent to encourage your child to seek employment and to provide them with different experiences in order to gain skills for employment. For example, allowing your child to work at the local sports club canteen to experience gaining skills in customer service and handling money will allow them to have more skills when deciding to apply for casual/part-time jobs. Encouraging and supporting your child with work choices they make teaches them the importance of taking on responsibilities and spending money wisely. As a parent, it is also your role to take them to work as this will show them that you have an interest in what they do and are proud of them for becoming responsible.
Sense of identity
This need also applies to children usually aged 12 and over as this is when a child begins to explore their identity and discover who they are. It is important as a parent to support your child with whatever choices they decide to make, as long as they are correct, and to be whoever they want as it shows your constant love and support for them. Showing interest in the type of clothes they wear and sexuality also allows the child to feel the constant love and support you as a parent have for them.
Education
From the moment the child is born, they begin to learn new things. A child starts by learning how to drink milk and then gradually learns how to crawl, speak and walk, and even after this, are learning throughout most of their life. The following points will allow a parent to know the ways in which they can assist their child in achieving their best through education:
- Sending the child to child care not only allows them to interact with others and develop social skills, but many basics such as the alphabet and numbers are taught in child care. Children are also taught how to spell, write and read as well as being able to play games which include using motor and problem solving skills.
- Providing the child with socialisation opportunities allow them to develop the simple skills they need in life. Attending things like play groups and taking your child to the park and allowing them to interact with other children helps them develop communication and socialisation skills that they continue building throughout their lives.
- Sending the child to school once they have reached a certain age will allow them to develop further skills needed in order to move on through their schooling life. A child usually begins school at the age of 5 and continues until they are at least 16. The years in between are what usually what assist the child in gaining skills to be eligible for university, TAFE, college and employment.
Adequate standard of living
Providing an adequate standard of living is the first role a parent must take on. This includes providing the child shelter, food, water and clothing from the moment they are born until they are independent and are willing to do these things alone. When a baby is born, they are expected to be provided with a place to sleep, food to eat, water to drink and clean clothes to wear. This will assist in ensuring that the child grows up to be healthy and that they are constantly being looked after.
Safety and security
Before the arrival of a new born, there are certain adjustments that should be made to the household regardless of whether or not they will be needed at that particular point in time. This will ensure that the child will have be in a safe environment and that everything will be ready for them once they begin to crawl, walk etc. Along with this, parents should provide a constant access to shelter for their child until they are ready to move out and ensure that the shelter will keep their child safe.
The safety devices that should be set up for a new born include:
- Installing baby monitors in the room of the new born and in the places where you mostly are around the house in order to keep an eye on the child
- Installing safety gates will ensure that the child is safe once they begin learning how to crawl/walk and that the chances of them going up/down the stairs and even outside is very limited
Once the child becomes a little older, there are more things that a parent can do in order to ensure their safety and security such as setting boundaries and rules. For example, when the child reaches the age of 12, the begin to start wanting to go places with their friends etc. as a parent, one usually becomes worried about their child going out for the first time. Setting boundaries and rules as to where they can go, who they can go with and a curfew will reduce the chances of the child being put in any sort of danger.
Health
Ensuring the health of the child begins way before the child is born and starts with the mother. The mother should take care of herself before and throughout the pregnancy in order to protect the baby's health however, more information on this can be found here. The things that parents can do in order to ensure the child's health from the time they are conceived till they're independent include:
- Applying for Medicare allows the child to visit the doctor and have most costs covered by the government. Applying for this before the child is born will ensure it be ready to use when the child needs it
- Providing adequate nutrition for the child at a young age allows them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By teaching the child what is healthy and unhealthy, it is easier for them to make the right choices as they grow up and develop
- Providing adequate hygiene routines such as bathing and showering ensures that the child is clean and minimises the chances they have in becoming sick
Employment
Satisfying the need of employment applies to mostly those over the age of 16 as that is the age where most teenagers begin seeking employment. It is important as a parent to encourage your child to seek employment and to provide them with different experiences in order to gain skills for employment. For example, allowing your child to work at the local sports club canteen to experience gaining skills in customer service and handling money will allow them to have more skills when deciding to apply for casual/part-time jobs. Encouraging and supporting your child with work choices they make teaches them the importance of taking on responsibilities and spending money wisely. As a parent, it is also your role to take them to work as this will show them that you have an interest in what they do and are proud of them for becoming responsible.
Sense of identity
This need also applies to children usually aged 12 and over as this is when a child begins to explore their identity and discover who they are. It is important as a parent to support your child with whatever choices they decide to make, as long as they are correct, and to be whoever they want as it shows your constant love and support for them. Showing interest in the type of clothes they wear and sexuality also allows the child to feel the constant love and support you as a parent have for them.
Education
From the moment the child is born, they begin to learn new things. A child starts by learning how to drink milk and then gradually learns how to crawl, speak and walk, and even after this, are learning throughout most of their life. The following points will allow a parent to know the ways in which they can assist their child in achieving their best through education:
- Sending the child to child care not only allows them to interact with others and develop social skills, but many basics such as the alphabet and numbers are taught in child care. Children are also taught how to spell, write and read as well as being able to play games which include using motor and problem solving skills.
- Providing the child with socialisation opportunities allow them to develop the simple skills they need in life. Attending things like play groups and taking your child to the park and allowing them to interact with other children helps them develop communication and socialisation skills that they continue building throughout their lives.
- Sending the child to school once they have reached a certain age will allow them to develop further skills needed in order to move on through their schooling life. A child usually begins school at the age of 5 and continues until they are at least 16. The years in between are what usually what assist the child in gaining skills to be eligible for university, TAFE, college and employment.
Adequate standard of living
Providing an adequate standard of living is the first role a parent must take on. This includes providing the child shelter, food, water and clothing from the moment they are born until they are independent and are willing to do these things alone. When a baby is born, they are expected to be provided with a place to sleep, food to eat, water to drink and clean clothes to wear. This will assist in ensuring that the child grows up to be healthy and that they are constantly being looked after.