BHUBANESWAR: Experts opined at a brainstorming session organised by the UNICEF in the city that most of the behavioural related issues among the children are nothing but the result of bad parenting and lack of early childhood development.
Most of the behavioural problems in children are due to the role the parents play. In the age group of zero to three years, the brain of child develops the most as he learns almost everything from his surroundings. If proper nurturing and quality time is denied to them, it impairs the overall brain and behaviour development of the kid,” said Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Retired Psycology professor from Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU).
Mohanty was speaking at a brainstorming session organised by the UNICEF in the city on the issue of early childhood development. He also elaborated that a child in his early years learns to do things from the surrounding through his manipulative, task and other experiences. These help to shape his personality and boost mental strength. He also said that many kids are now deprived of such experiences with the changing socio-economic dynamics.
Other experts claimed that there are many things which hamper the overall development of a child. An education specialist from UNICEF Lalita Patnaik said, “Many a times a child who is curious to experiment with things are labeled unconsciously by their parents with negative connotations which often discourage them to experiment with things and use their brains. Parents should refrain from discouraging the creative urge of students.”
She exhorted that proper health and nutrition, full immunisation, protection and encouraging the participatory behavior of the children helps in nourishing them and is vital in the overall development of a kid. Quality time spent by parents plays a huge role in their development too. She also briefed the gathering about the key role of a father towards his ward in his early childhood days for proper upbringing.
Bhaswati Patnaik, Head of the department of Psychology from Utkal University meanwhile said that every child is important and they have right to a healthy life. Experts also opined that children who grow up healthy and educated, loved and protected are more likely to develop into responsible and productive adults.