Parenting

Parenting practices around the world share three major goals: ensuring children’s health and safety, preparing children for life as productive adults and transmitting cultural values. A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for healthy development.

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

What You Can Do

  • Changing Diet and Exercise for Kids

    When it comes to establishing healthy habits, you can teach children how to Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise (A.B.C.D.E.)

  • Facing the School Dropout Dilemma

    This article seeks to complement and supplement the APA resolution on school dropout prevention with data from more recent research on child development, early childhood education, and social and emotional learning that helps to define the school dropout dilemma.

  • Confronting childhood obesity

    Tips and resources for parents about helping their children make better decisions about what they eat to prevent childhood obesity.

  • Communication tips for parents

    Parenting is hard work, but there are things you can do to maintain a good connection with your children and keep the lines of communication open.

  • Single parenting and today's family

    Life in a single parent household — though common — can be quite stressful for the adult and the children.

  • Parenting: The teen years

    The teen years pose some of the most difficult challenges for families. Teenagers, dealing with hormone changes and an ever-complex world, may feel that no one can understand their feelings, especially parents. As a result, the teen may feel angry, alone and confused while facing complicated issues about identity, peers, sexual behavior, drinking and drugs.

  • Parents and Caregivers Are Essential to Children’s Healthy Development

    Parents and caregivers make sure children are healthy and safe, equip them with the skills and resources to succeed as adults, and transmit basic cultural values to them.

  • Staying connected: A guide for parents on raising an adolescent daughter

    Take a look at this informative brochure that covers topics including: puberty, peer groups, self-esteem, sexuality, mood swings, rebellion, and much more.

  • Parenting

    A collection of research studies with a real-world applications, designed to help parents foster high-quality relationships with their children.

Getting Help

News

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Monitor on Psychology Articles

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Books

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APA Offices and Programs

  • Children, Youth and Families

    The Children, Youth and Families Office supports the work of the APA Committee on Children, Youth and Families and serves as liaison with other APA divisions, related organizations, state associations and federal agencies.