A growing unease settles in as we witness an increasing number of learners being diagnosed with various disorders. The subsequent recommendations for therapies, psychiatric assessments, and often, a cocktail of medications – ranging from anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants to tranquilizers and focus-enhancing prescriptions – raise significant concerns.
This journey of diagnosis and treatment is not only financially demanding for families but, dishearteningly, often yields minimal positive change in the learner. The desired turnaround in a child’s attitude, motivation, and determination to engage with their schoolwork frequently remains elusive.
It appears a fundamental aspect might be overlooked in our approach. The prevailing “child-centred” philosophy among professionals working with children, while well-intentioned, seems to have inadvertently sidelined the pivotal role parents play in shaping their child’s development into adulthood. The training and focus often neglect the profound influence of parenting styles on a child’s well-being.
However, a different perspective is emerging. The SmartChoiceParenting Programme (SCPP) champions a “parent-centred” approach, grounded in the understanding that parenting dynamics lie at the core of many childhood disorders. This programme posits that conditions such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), depression, and a wide spectrum of anxiety disorders are deeply intertwined with the way children are raised.
By empowering parents with the knowledge and understanding of their crucial role, the SmartChoiceParenting Programme aims to shift the focus from solely addressing symptoms in the child to fostering a supportive and effective home environment. This approach suggests that by equipping parents with the right tools and insights, we can potentially address the root causes of these challenges and pave the way for more sustainable positive change in children’s lives.
Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate our direction and recognise the transformative potential of empowered parents in nurturing thriving children.
The SCPP offers a parent-centred solution. We empower you with the knowledge and understanding that the way you parent is the key to unlocking your child’s potential and addressing the underlying causes of many childhood disorders.
