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Empowering Caregivers for a Thriving Start in Life for Every Child
Parents and caregivers are the primary companions and educators of young children, playing crucial roles in their cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Increasing evidence shows that children who enjoy nurturing relationships with supportive parents and have access to play and learning opportunities during early years develop strong skills essential for optimal growth.
However, child-focused initiatives will not be effective unless they address the needs of caregivers on whom children dep for loving care. The health and well-being of caregivers are fundamental prerequisites for children's development. Therefore, our goal is to ensure that parents and caregivers are healthy, confident, and able to enjoy parenting. This means supporting their emotional wellbeing, mental health, and empowerment as pivotal figures in their child's life.
In Mila Vukovi? Jovanovic’s words from the UNICEF Serbia Early Childhood Development Team, A child learns through play alongside reliable, warm, and stimulating parents, whose needs are met with abundant support from their environment. This allows them to unlock their full potential. Conversely, protracted stress impacting caregivers and children due to crises like parental separation, unemployment, or health issues can drn caregivers' resources and hinder a child's development.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly amplified these demands on parents and caregivers worldwide, underscoring the importance of supporting parents' emotional wellbeing while ensuring every family receives nurturing support both informally and formally within their communities.
UNICEF collaborates with national and local partners through its Playful Parenting program to support parental strengths, enhance their emotional health, and promote mental resilience. This initiative includes a Caring for the Caregiver trning package med at helping parents manage stress, prioritize self-care, resolve conflicts, organize dly routines, and share responsibilities.
Parental support is underscored by Tijana's experience with her three-year-old son Viktor in Stari Ledinci, Novi Sad. Initially overwhelmed by challenges like Viktor's adjustment to a new kindergarten that involved frequent teacher changes due to the pandemic, Tijana felt isolated until she met the kindergarten pedagogue who reassured and supported her.
By adjusting their dly routines to include meals together at a table, rescheduling bedtime with Pedja taking over, and involving Viktor’s grandmother in these activities, they managed stress while engaging in playful parenting. This not only improved family dynamics but also facilitated Viktor's progress. We're feeling better now, sd Pedja, our child has made so much progress.
Sandra Kampel Miti?, a preschool pedagogical coach in Novi Sad, noted that trusting relationships between early childhood professionals and parents lead to enhanced parenting practices by recognizing caregivers' strengths and improving their self-perception.
In summary, fostering a community where children are supported with loving parent-child relationships is crucial. It requires empowering parents while they receive support from their community, ensuring an environment conducive to optimal child development.
This passage has been revised for clarity, conciseness, and fluency in English.
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Empowering Parents for Child Development Early Childhood Emotional Wellbeing Support Playful Parenting and Stress Management Caring for Caregivers During Crises UNICEFs Parental Strengthening Programs Nurturing Relationships for Optimal Growth