Positive parenting
To improve the quality of parenting, we collect expert information and disseminate it
- русский
- English
The challenge
Many parents are not fully aware of how their lifestyles affect their children. One or more adults smoke in the home or apartment of every third family with children. Only 14 per cent of fathers read books to their children regularly, and only 76 per cent of fathers hug their children regularly. Fathers themselves are unhappy with the amount of time they spend playing with their children.
It is difficult for parents of teenagers to maintain a positive relationship with them; so, parents want to find out how to more effectively resolve conflicts in the family, how to talk to teenagers about their self-esteem and respond to their risky behavior.
Despite the fact that only 9.4 per cent of parents or guardians consider physical punishment a necessary educational measure.
25.7 per cent have noted that they practice physical violence to raise children. At the same time, many parents admit that they do not know how to discipline children differently.
Violence interferes with the development of children, diminishes their ability to learn and their school performance, suppresses positive relationships with others, leads to lower self-esteem, psychological discomfort and depression, and sometimes even to the risk of self-harming.
The solution
UNICEF in Belarus has been working with its partners to ensure that mothers, fathers and other caregivers take better care of children by providing a safe and supportive family environment.
We support early childhood care services, develop new ways to identify and support families at risk, and help parents and caregivers learn about positive parenting practices.
We collect expert information and disseminate it to improve quality of parenting. Important information about parenting can be found here.
UNICEF has developed a pocket guide for parents: the Bebbo mobile app with tips on raising children from birth to 6 years. Parents need support as they face millions of questions about how to help their children grow up healthy and smart. The app provides evidence-based information, games and helpful interactive content to help with parenting and promote health and development of your children. You can download the app here.
UNICEF in Belarus has been developing an early intervention system in order not to overlook developmental delays at an early age and to help the child in time. Today there are 37 Centers in the country, and 5 of them are at orphanages. The EIC specialists can support parents if any developmental disorders are identified in the child.
Resourses
Parenting (available in Russian).
