For Immediate Release
Editorial: A Caring Home, Dr. Jeremy Larson, MBA, Superintendent of Schools, Paris Union School District No. 95
A Caring Home
There is no greater gift you can give your child than the gift of a caring home. Does that sound like an overstatement? Think about it: a child’s home environment is where they learn to trust and be trustworthy, respect and be respected, and grow into who they want to become through the example they see in their parents and caregivers.
From the moment a child is born, they are constantly learning and developing. They learn how to walk, talk, eat, and play. A caring home nurtures and affirms a child’s self-worth. It is a place of love and mutually respectful relationships where children feel safe, secure, and supported. It is a place where children can thrive.
A nurturing home provides all the necessary physical, mental, and emotional support that a child needs to grow into a kind, caring, and thoughtful adult. These qualities are essential for a child to achieve great things. While school has a great impact on a child, it cannot be compared to the impact of a home. For example, schools are meant to help students become achievers, but there is no guarantee that these children will become kind or loving people.
A home will always have the greatest impact on a child. So, parents and caregivers must be intentional in providing children with opportunities to develop both physically and mentally. This can significantly impact how they learn, interact with others, and behave at school.
A Caring Home and Better School Performance
The research is clear: students who feel safe, loved, and nurtured at home will thrive academically. That’s why every student deserves a caring home. A caring home starts with parents and caregivers who are involved in their child’s education. They’ll ask about what their child learned in school, attend parent-teacher conferences and volunteer at school events. They’ll teach their children about the people, places, and things that make up their world. And they’ll encourage their child to play with other children because social skills can have a big impact on future success in life.
If you are reading this article, then you probably know that reading to children is one of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver. Imagine how many words your child hears in one day! These words build their vocabulary and help them understand the world around them. The more words they hear, the better prepared they will be for school and the better they will learn how to communicate and express themselves.
Better school performance goes beyond acing their tests or reading big books. Pivotal to better school performance is how emotionally intelligent and stable your child is. It also includes how much physical activity you let them have and enjoy. Children need at least 60 minutes of quality physical activity every day to help them grow strong bones and muscles, for example. Yet, most children often sit inside playing video games or watching TV all day.
So what can parents do? Ensure that you allow your kids enough playtime outside, exploring nature, or playing sports with friends. Get out with your children! Go for a walk around the block or around your neighborhood park; throw a ball; go for a bike ride; play tag or hide and seek. Let them feel the love and joy around you; let them learn to laugh without restraint.
A Caring Home and its Impact on Wider Society
The family is the foundation of our society; it is a place where children learn how to play, develop, and interact with their peers and their environment. By teaching our children at a young age that by helping others we are actually helping ourselves, we are setting up a foundation for a better society.
Children who grow up in an environment where they feel safe and loved have greater success in school and better relationships with others and are also more likely to give back to their communities than those who do not have a supportive home. A caring home values a child as a unique individual. And being valued as an individual helps children to become confident and capable citizens who contribute to society. And so it continues.
By modeling respect, compassion, cooperation, and involvement in the community, children are more likely to develop positive attitudes and values in their everyday lives. You can start with simple things like volunteering at a soup kitchen or food bank during the holidays and bringing along your children. Not only will they be more appreciative of what they have, but they will also learn early on the importance of giving back to others.
Be kind to yourself; this will teach your child to practice kindness toward themselves. Treat others with respect; this will help your child learn to do the same. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake; this will teach your child to accept both their mistakes and yours. Share your feelings openly in front of your children; this helps them learn how to express their own emotions. Practice gratitude daily; this will show them how important it is to appreciate what they have instead of focusing on what they don’t have.
Making Your Home Ideal for Growth
While a caring home starts with parents and caregivers, it doesn’t stop there. Everyone has a role to play. A caring home isn’t just about parents’ involvement. It’s also about creating a family environment that is warm and welcoming for everyone who lives there. It’s about creating a more caring environment that is based on trust, open communication, and mutual respect. It’s about spending time together as a family, even if it’s just for a few minutes every day. It’s about giving children the opportunity to contribute to the family by helping with chores, etc.
So how do you make sure you’re setting the stage for your child to thrive? To make your home a more caring place, try to:
- Meet each other’s needs.
- Be a good role model.
- Provide emotional support.
- Show them affection.
- Encourage them to express themselves.
- Give them opportunities to learn and grow.
- Stay connected to your community.
- Get support when you need it.
Final Thoughts
A caring home is critical to a child’s long-term success in school, work, and life. You are your child’s first teacher. So, if you want your child to grow up with a strong sense of self-worth, kindness, and self-compassion, then you have to model these behaviors for them every day.
Dr. Jeremy Larson, MBA
Superintendent of Schools
Paris Union School District No. 95
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