There is extensive research linking healthy child development to effective parenting. Children thrive when parents provide not only affection but also respectful communication and listening, consistent rules and expectations, and safe opportunities that promote independence. Successful parenting fosters psychological adjustment, helps children succeed in school, encourages curiosity about the world, and motivates children to achieve. The following resources offer information that helps families build their knowledge of child and youth development.
5 Things to Know About Parents' Knowledge of Parenting and Early Childhood Development
Bartlett, Guzman, & Ramos-Olazagasti (2018)
Child Trends
Discusses the link between parental knowledge of parenting and child development and how they behave toward their children. Parents with a higher level of knowledge are more likely to engage in positive parenting practices.
Developmental Milestones
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020)
Reviews developmental milestones for children from the age of 2 months to 5 years and provides parents with a checklist and links to a milestone tracker for their use.
Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (2021)
Covers over 30 topics related to the psychosocial development of the child, from conception to age 5, and presents the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
Explore the Tool Kits
Sesame Street (2021)
Provides parents and caregivers with interactive videos, print-outs, and resource guides that promote parent learning and engagement. Example topics include autism, brain development, and building resilience.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Children's Trust Fund Alliance (2019)
Describes the importance of knowledge of parenting and child development as a protective factor and provides examples of everyday actions organizations can take to demonstrate to provide guidance, role modeling, and information to parents on this topic.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Protective & Promotive Factors (PDF - 189 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2018)
Offers an overview of how knowledge of parenting and child development works as a protective factor to help prevent child maltreatment and describes this protective factor, the caseworker role in promoting this protective factor, and activities to do with parents to strengthen their knowledge.
Learn the Signs, Act Early
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Lists developmental milestones for children from birth to 5 years to help parents measure their child's growth. Includes interactive tools for parents, fact sheets on developmental disabilities, and public awareness resources for health-care and childcare providers.
Parenting
National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families
Discusses the importance of positive parent-child relationships, outlines healthy parenting practices, and links to additional resources to help strengthen parenting.
Parenting Knowledge Among First-Time Parents of Young Children
Child Trends (2018)
Highlights findings from Child Trends’ study of first-time parents of young children (under age 3) and their knowledge about parenting and child development.
Positive Parenting Tips
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020)
Provides information for parents about their children's development, positive parenting, safety, and health at various stages of a child's life.