Dimensions of Parenting

Box 1: Dimensions of Parenting
? Warmth and responsiveness: Parents express love and affection
and are responsive to their child’s needs and requests.
? Control and discipline: Parents outline specific rules and
expectations and enforce them consistently. As a child grows
and matures, parents continue to set limits, but allow for more
autonomy in the child’s world.
? Cognitive stimulation: Parents ensure that their child
has materials that are stimulating; parents are verbal y
engaging and actively teach their children key concepts.
? Modeling of attitudes, values, and behaviors: Parents discuss
their values, convey their attitudes, and act toward their child
and others in the way they want their child to act.
? Gatekeeping: Parents serve as links to the environment,
influencing which family and friends their child interacts with
and what outside activities and programs they become
involved in. Parents become involved in school and other
community activities to maintain connection with the child and
outside influences.
? Family routines and traditions: Parents create a daily routine
as well as family traditions that help structure a child’s expec-
tations for the day as well as promote knowledge of cultural
and family heritage.
14
Children and Welfare Reform: A Synopsis

---