New campaign promotes positive parenting

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has announced a new campaign providing advice for parents on positive approaches to raising children.

‘Parenting. Give it time’, which will start this autumn, will highlight how offering encouragement and praising children for good behaviour is more effective than harsh punishments when children do things wrong.

Parents will be encouraged to give time to talk and listen to their children and given tips on how to encourage better behaviour, by adopting positive parenting strategies.  It will also highlight the need for parents to look after their own well-being and help them manage stress.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, said:

“As a mother, I know being a parent isn’t always easy. Parenting requires a huge range of skills and, of course, a lot of patience. No parent is perfect and none of us gets it right all the time. However, we can all build on our strengths by learning new skills and new ways of doing things.

“This is why our campaign is called ‘Parenting. Give it time’. Trying out a new approach takes time.  Positive parenting is about giving time to praise and notice a child’s good behaviour, time to play and time to talk and listen.

“Research suggests children and parents really benefit from a positive parenting style. Children display improved behaviour and better social and emotional development, while Mums and Dads benefit from increased confidence, less stress and less conflict in the home. I want all parents to feel valued and supported to be the best they can for their children.”

From the autumn, ‘Parenting. Give it time’ will promote positive approaches to raising children through a number of different media channels. A dedicated website will provide parents with parenting tips, information, advice and signposts to sources of further support.

The Minister will unveil the campaign  at Aston Family Centre and Croft Nursery in Flintshire, where she will see first hand how the services are supporting parents and children.

Croft Nursery is a setting for Flying Start, the Welsh Government’s flagship early years programme. Flying Start offers free quality part-time childcare for 2-3 year olds enabling parents to access work and training, support for children’s Early Language Development, parenting courses, and an enhanced Health Visiting service.

Councillor Christine Jones, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, said:

“I am so pleased the Minister is able to visit the Aston Family Centre today and see first hand the excellent services provided and we welcome the new campaign.

“The Council’s Early Years and Family Support recently received a top national Care Council for Wales award in recognition of the strong partnerships that have been developed between a number of services and organisations within Flintshire, to ensure that proactive and positive parenting is promoted, and that negative outcomes for children and young people are prevented. I am particularly proud of their achievements.”