<p>Children (age 6) receive mixed messages about alcohol, but through intentional communication, Montana parents can influence the messages children receive. </p>

Reading for Your 6-Year-Old

Your healthy relationship with your six-year-old is essential to their development. Through relationships, your child develops a sense of belonging. They come to better understand themselves through their interactions with you, their teachers, and their peers. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to continue to grow a positive relationship with their child. Parenting is so important and each day presents new excitement and challenges. The tools offered in this podcast from ParentingMontana.org will give you the chance to do simple things right now to support your six-year-old to be confident, communicate well, and have respect.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University to create ParentingMontana.org, which promotes healthy mental, emotional, and behavioral development. ParentingMontana.org was initially developed for parents and those in a parenting role in Montana to build the skills their children need to strengthen communication, build relationships, and develop social and emotional skills. However, these parenting tools and tips are relevant for parents everywhere trying to do what is best for their child. 

Listening to this podcast that shares tools from ParentingMontana.org will teach you a five-step process: Gain Input, Teach, Practice, Support, and Recognize. Using this process in daily interactions with your child builds a strong relationship while addressing specific parenting matters. The same process that you use with a young child can be used with an older child. Parenting evolves as children mature and having a process to guide you is incredibly helpful. Taking time to invest in your parenting skills now will benefit your child for a lifetime as you meet them each day with confidence, empathy and love. The specific tools available through this podcast for supporting your six-year-old include: Anger, Back Talk, Bullying, Chores, Confidence, Conflict, Discipline, Friends, Homework, Listening, Lying, Tantrums, Mixed Messages about Alcohol, Reading, Routines, Sharing, and Stress. Listen now to grow your ability to support your six-year-old today!