Dr. Dan Tomasulo explores the concept of strength-based parenting, a novel approach to parenting that has gained popularity online. This approach focuses on cultivating and supporting your child’s character. In his analysis, he considers whether this approach could be suitable for your family.
The foundation of this pioneering methodology is centered around recognizing and fostering children’s character strengths by parents. This innovative approach is a dynamic and novel technique as it contrasts significantly with conventional parenting methods.
Strength-Based Parenting Virtues and Characteristics
The following are the virtues paired with the strengths associated with them.
- Wisdom and Knowledge: Perspective, creativity, curiosity, love of learning, open-mindedness
- Courage: Bravery, grit or perseverance, integrity, vitality or enthusiasm
- Humanity: Kindness, love, social intelligence
- Justice: Citizenship, fairness, leadership
- Temperance: Forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self-control
- Transcendence: Appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality
How to Identify Your Child’s Strengths
A complimentary survey is available to help recognize your and your child’s strengths. Interestingly, the ones that rank the highest are those that are most identifiable with our unique strengths. These are the very essence of your being.
While all character strengths represent the affirmative aspects of your personality, the signature strengths reflect how you are best known and are the essential component in achieving your fullest potential.
The primary strengths referred to here are distinct from your inherent talents and skills. Instead, they encompass the most positive aspects of your character, highlighting your unique qualities. By identifying your child’s top character strengths, you can aid them in discovering their strengths, their potential, and what it takes to achieve success.
As you learn more about your own strengths, you’ll be better equipped to recognize and appreciate your child’s strengths when they display them.
Strength-Based Parenting in Practice
One example of character strength is grit, which Dr. Angela Duckworth has extensively studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Grit refers to passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals.
Through her research, Dr. Duckworth has found that grit is a significant non-intellectual factor that predicts achievement more accurately than traditional measures such as skill or IQ.
Instead of solely praising your child’s achievements, as a parent, it’s more beneficial to focus on their persistence in developing their abilities. Placing emphasis on your child’s success in hitting a home run, getting an A on a paper, or landing the lead in a play, will overlook the importance of fostering their persistence, which will have a greater value and impact in the long run.
If children are only praised for their achievements, they may not be as resilient when they face obstacles. By acknowledging their efforts, rather than solely focusing on the outcome, you are promoting the growth of their character and persistence. According to Dr.
Duckworth, although talent is significant, the effort has twice the impact.
Are you familiar with the latest parenting trend, lawnmower parenting? Learn about this new phenomenon and determine if you, too, are a lawnmower parent.