Tricks and Tips for a Happy Parenting

Tricks and Tips for a
Happy Parenting

Helping My Child Listen.


  1. Connect first: Get down to your child's level and make sure you have their full attention before you speak.

  2. Stay calm: A calm, steady voice is heard far better than a raised one model the tone you want back.

  3. See their side: Ask what they think or feel before explaining your view. Feeling heard makes children more willing to listen in return.

  4. Say it once: Say it once, clearly, and follow through - repeating yourself teaches children they can tune out the first few times.

Encouraging Healthy Eating.


  1. Make it exciting: Serve familiar, healthy foods in fun shapes or colourful, playful arrangements.

  2. Eat with the eyes first: A dish that looks appealing invites a child to try it - presentation matters as much as taste.

  3. Invite them into the kitchen: Let your child wash, stir, or plate food with you - involvement builds ownership and curiosity.

  4. Co-create the menu: Plan the week's menu together so they feel a sense of choice and pride in what's served.

  5. Keep portions small: Offer smaller portions with the option to ask for more — it feels far less overwhelming than a full plate.

Encouraging Healthy Eating.


  1. Make it exciting: Serve familiar, healthy foods in fun shapes or colourful, playful arrangements.

  2. Eat with the eyes first: A dish that looks appealing invites a child to try it - presentation matters as much as taste.

  3. Invite them into the kitchen: Let your child wash, stir, or plate food with you - involvement builds ownership and curiosity.

  4. Co-create the menu: Plan the week's menu together so they feel a sense of choice and pride in what's served.

  5. Keep portions small: Offer smaller portions with the option to ask for more it feels far less overwhelming than a full plate.

Encouraging Healthy Eating.


  1. Make it exciting: Serve familiar, healthy foods in fun shapes or colourful, playful arrangements.

  2. Eat with the eyes first: A dish that looks appealing invites a child to try it -presentation matters as much as taste.

  3. Invite them into the kitchen: Let your child wash, stir, or plate food with you -involvement builds ownership and curiosity.

  4. Co-create the menu: Plan the week's menu together so they feel a sense of choice and pride in what's served.

  5. Keep portions small: Offer smaller portions with the option to ask for more it feels far less overwhelming than a full plate.

Building Confidence to Speak Up.


  1. Look for the root cause: Quietness at school can stem from anxiety, a big transition, or simply needing more time to warm up understanding the cause comes first.

  2. Partner with the school: Stay in touch with teachers so home and school can support your child in the same way.

  3. Celebrate small wins: Notice and celebrate moments when they use their confident, 'grown-up' voice.

  4. Be patient: Give your child time and space to come around in their own way, without pressure to perform.

  5. Act early if needed: If the quietness continues, seek support early - early guidance makes the biggest difference.


Seek professional help!

Guiding Positive Behaviour.


  1. Discipline is guidance: Think of discipline as teaching, not punishing - the goal is to guide, not to make them feel bad.

  2. Catch them doing well: Notice and name the good choices your child makes, as often as you can.

  3. Set clear boundaries: Clear, consistent boundaries help children feel secure and know what to expect.

  4. Mean what you say: Follow through calmly and consistently instead of issuing threats you may not keep.

  5. Lead as a parent: Children need a parent to guide them and a friend to play with - hold both, but lead with the former.

Mindful Use of Screens & Mobile Devices.


  1. Delay the first screen: Hold off on smartphones until at least 1.5 years of age.

  2. Watch together: When you do introduce a device, keep sessions short and sit together avoid letting a young child explore alone.

  3. Build a routine: Set a consistent schedule for screen time, including TV, so it becomes a predictable routine rather than a negotiation.

  4. Be the role model: Children follow what they see be mindful of your own screen habits around them.

  5. Protect key moments: Keep meals, car rides, family time, and the hour before bed screen-free.

  6. Power down at night: Switch off devices overnight for better rest, for both children and parents.

  7. Co-view when you can: Watch shows or use apps together whenever possible, turning screen time into shared time.

Growing Confident English Speakers.


Learn through play

  • Play dress-up, hide-and-seek, and other favourite games in English the same way children naturally pick up their first language.

Read together at bedtime

  • Choose simple, picture-rich books, or use audiobooks and online read-aloud.

Create through craft

  • Turn everyday craft time gluing, painting, baking into English practice with simple, useful phrases such as 'Could you pass me the glue, please?', 'Thank you', or 'Can you help me tidy up?' These everyday classroom phrases prepare children for what they'll hear at school. If you're not confident in English yourself, following a written or audio recipe together works just as well.

Sing together

  • Pick child-friendly songs online and sing along as a family.

Helping Children Become Confident Readers.


Read aloud together: Reading aloud slows the process down and lets children hear words as well as see them.

  • Reread favourite books: Revisiting familiar books builds speed, ease, and confidence with words.

  • Talk about the story: Talking through the story helps children process its meaning and remember it longer.

  • Make personal connections: Connect the story to places or experiences your child already knows moving from the familiar to the new.

  • Ask open questions: Prompt curiosity with questions like 'What do you think happens next?' or 'How does the character feel?'

  • Build mental pictures: Encourage children to picture the story in their mind, or draw what they've read.

  • Find the key ideas: Ask about the main characters and events to help them find what matters most in the story.

  • Check for understanding: Encourage children to pause and ask themselves whether what they've read makes sense.

Raising Happy, Responsible Children.

Set clear, consistent expectations: Children feel secure when they know what's expected of them and what happens next consistency builds trust.

  • Be the role model: Children learn by watching us model the respect, honesty, and responsibility you hope to see.

  • Praise generously: Notice their effort and progress often praise builds confidence and self-esteem.

  • Offer unconditional support: Let your child know they are loved no matter what, especially when they make mistakes.

  • Be patient: Children are still learning patience and understanding go a long way as they grow.

  • Communicate openly: Talk openly about all topics, even difficult ones, and answer questions honestly.

  • Encourage independence: Let your child make age-appropriate decisions and learn from the outcomes.

  • Have fun together: Make time for play, outings, and simply enjoying each other's company.

Raising Happy, Responsible Children.

Set clear, consistent expectations: Children feel secure when they know what's expected of them and what happens next consistency builds trust.

  • Be the role model: Children learn by watching us model the respect, honesty, and responsibility you hope to see.

  • Praise generously: Notice their effort and progress often praise builds confidence and self-esteem.

  • Offer unconditional support: Let your child know they are loved no matter what, especially when they make mistakes.

  • Be patient: Children are still learning patience and understanding go a long way as they grow.

  • Communicate openly: Talk openly about all topics, even difficult ones, and answer questions honestly.

  • Encourage independence: Let your child make age-appropriate decisions and learn from the outcomes.

  • Have fun together: Make time for play, outings, and simply enjoying each other's company.