Parents Under Pressure

Module 6: Connecting With Your Child: Mindful Play

Module 6 of the Parents Under Pressure program is aimed at promoting a positive parent-child relationship. This involves encouraging sensitive and responsive parenting to provide the maximum opportunity for the development of a nurturing and loving relationship.

A secure attachment to at least one primary care giver is one of the most important factors in ensuring positive outcomes for children (i.e., promote prosocial behaviour, interpersonal skills, high self-esteem, academic achievement etc). A secure attachment develops when parents are sensitive and responsive to their children.

The module, then, aims to identify specific techniques a parent can use to promote a positive relationship with their child (praise, reward, child centred-play).

However, child-centered play techniques can be done somewhat mechanically, without sincerity. Child-centred behaviours are most powerful when a parent learns to really connect with their child, when they are genuinely pleased, interested, or proud of their child. Unfortunately, parents who are under a lot of stress may not experience these positive emotions often, or feel them inconsistently. Negative emotions (feeling frustrated, angry with the child) may overshadow the positive emotions. While it is unrealistic to eliminate all negative feelings, most parents accept that the child needs to experience something positive from their parents.

To facilitate a more genuine interaction with their children, this module applies the use of mindfulness techniques as a means for parents to get into a state of mind that facilitates positive interaction with their child.