Early Parenting Steps That Build a Psychologically Healthy Child

For every mother, especially in the early stages of parenting, it's essential to establish solid foundations for raising her child. Raising a child goes far beyond feeding and changing diapers—it’s about building a balanced, emotionally healthy personality and helping the child succeed in social interaction from an early age. These core elements of proper upbringing help shape a child with confidence and a strong, resilient personality.

In an exclusive interview with Nadormagazine, family education and behavior modification specialist Dr. Ibtisam Abdul Mohsen highlighted two critical early steps every mother should follow from infancy to foster healthy psychological development:

1. Let Your Child Join the Family Dining Table Early

Once your baby can sit up unassisted—usually around four months of age—you should begin placing them in a high chair near the family dining table. This isn’t just about feeding; it’s a foundational part of their social and behavioral development.

When a child observes parents and siblings eating together, they learn by imitation. Watching a parent eat healthy food like salad or vegetables encourages the child to do the same. It also teaches important mealtime behaviors such as eating what’s served, not playing with food, and respecting the dining routine.

Children who sit at the table are more likely to eat better, try new foods, and build a positive relationship with eating. In contrast, feeding a baby in isolation—like in their room or on the mother’s bed—can create emotional dependency and make future weaning more difficult.

2. Take Your Baby Outside Every Day

Many mothers hesitate to take their infants outside out of fear—whether it's concern over illness, wind exposure, or fear of strangers. However, this overprotection can limit a child’s ability to adjust to the outside world.

Gradual and regular outings help the baby become familiar with new faces and environments, starting with close family members like grandparents, aunts, and uncles, then expanding to friends and neighbors. This helps the baby grow into a social and emotionally stable child who is less likely to experience separation anxiety or social withdrawal.

Additionally, going outside promotes physical activity, which helps burn excess calories and prevents childhood obesity—especially in babies who otherwise stay indoors. Outdoor walks also strengthen the immune system and provide sensory stimulation essential for cognitive development.

Importantly, social interaction supports language development. A baby exposed to people, conversation, and new environments develops communication skills faster, and is less likely to struggle with speech issues like stuttering, which can impact confidence.

General Tips to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

  • Assign age-appropriate responsibilities early on. Stop playing the sole protector. Let your child take care of simple personal tasks like brushing their teeth or tying their shoes. As they grow, gradually give them more responsibilities—such as organizing their room or school supplies. This builds independence and emotional resilience.

  • Be a role model. Your child learns primarily by watching your actions, not by hearing your lectures. Children imitate what they see. So, strive to model good behavior, emotional control, kindness, and integrity in your daily life.

  • Avoid comparisons. Comparing your child to siblings or other children damages their self-esteem. Every child has unique strengths and learning styles. Focus on encouragement and support, not pressure or unrealistic expectations.

  • Praise wisely. Praise actions, not appearance. Celebrate efforts, good behavior, and accomplishments—but avoid excessive flattery that may lead to arrogance. Instead of saying, "You’re so smart," say, "You worked really hard on that puzzle!"

  • Be your child’s best friend—within healthy limits. Build a relationship of trust and open communication. Keep their secrets, listen without judgment, and support them through emotional ups and downs. A child who trusts their parent is less likely to be a target of bullying or manipulation.


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