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Substance Abuse Among Children

Children can be significantly affected by drugs in various ways, particularly during critical stages of their development. One major concern is the impact of prenatal exposure to drugs, which can occur when a mother uses substances during pregnancy. This exposure can result in numerous adverse outcomes, including developmental delays that may affect a child’s physical and mental growth. Notably, some children may be born with birth defects, which can range from minor to severe and can have lasting implications on their health and well-being. Moreover, cognitive impairments can manifest as difficulties in learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities, often leading to challenges in academic settings and everyday life. The impact of drugs does not only end with birth. Children who grow up in households where parents struggle with substance use disorders may face additional risks. These children might experience neglect, as parents’ substance use can lead to an inability to provide proper care, attention, and support. Abuse, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, can also occur in these environments, creating a cycle of trauma that affects a child’s development and mental health. Furthermore, the lack of stability in their home life can hinder emotional regulation and social skills, making it difficult for them to form healthy relationships and navigate social situations. Overall, the effects of drug exposure and associated family dynamics can profoundly hinder a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, potentially leading to long-term challenges in adulthood. Related Posts A Comprehensive Guide to Supporting Children and Against Child Abuse Who Takes Custody of the Child after a Divorce?

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Who Takes Custody of the Child after a Divorce?

News, Resources / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Child custody in Ghana following a divorce can be an emotionally charged and challenging experience. The court plays a vital role in making decisions aimed at prioritizing the child’s best interests. This may result in situations where one parent receives sole custody or both parents share joint custody, ensuring that the child continues to receive love and support from both parents, even if they are no longer together. Some Points to Note: Best Interest of the Child: At the core of the court’s decisions is the child’s well-being and happiness, which take precedence over the preferences of the parents. Factors Considered: When making custody decisions, the court carefully evaluates several crucial factors, including: – The child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs to support their overall development. – The potential effects of any changes in the child’s living situation. – The child’s feelings and wishes, which gain importance as they grow older. – The child’s age, gender, background, and other relevant characteristics that may affect their needs. – Any past traumas the child may have faced or risks they might encounter. – Each parent’s capacity to meet the child’s needs with love and care. Sole Custody: In some difficult situations, one parent may be awarded sole custody, meaning the child primarily lives with that parent. The other parent is then granted visitation rights, allowing for continued involvement that is crucial to the child’s emotional health. Joint Custody: In many cases, the court may opt for joint custody, a fair arrangement that permits the child to spend quality time with both parents. This fosters shared decision-making and mutual participation in raising the child. Access Rights: Even when sole custody is granted, the non-custodial parent usually retains the right to regular visits and interactions with the child. This ongoing relationship is treasured and considered vital for the child’s overall growth. Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to the authority to make significant decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. It’s generally assumed that both parents will share this responsibility unless there are strong reasons to determine otherwise. Through these deliberations, the court strives to achieve the best outcomes for children, ensuring they feel loved, supported, and secure in the presence of both parents. As Frontline Volunteers, it is our responsibility to ensure that parents follow the established guidelines when they take custody of their child. Related Posts Mrs. Georgina Boateng (fourth from right) presenting the items to Isaac Quansah Okyere, with them are Mr. Fredrick Tetteh, Headmaster of the School and other dignitaries Promote Welfare of Children with Special Needs A Comprehensive Guide to Supporting Children and Against Child Abuse

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Keeping Children Safe while they Enjoy their Adventures

News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Protecting children while they have fun involves closely supervising them to ensure their safety while still allowing them to explore and engage in playful activities. This means taking necessary precautions to minimize potential hazards while encouraging a joyful and carefree atmosphere for the child. It includes monitoring their play areas, addressing any risks, and teaching them age-appropriate safety rules, all while promoting fun and exploration. It’s important to encourage parents to keep an eye on their kids. Teach children to be independent, smart, articulate, polite, and tolerant. They should learn essential life skills. Whether they choose college or a trade, understanding things like saving money and how to travel is crucial. Help them discover that the world is a vast, multicultural place. Encourage them to learn about oceans, mountains, rivers, and forests. Teach them about animals and sea life. Familiarize them with weather patterns and the government and laws of their country. Discuss the concept of a higher power, whatever belief system you follow. Dance in the rain on a warm summer day. Walk barefoot on the grass. Climb a tree, chase bubbles, and catch butterflies. Help them appreciate the magic of sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, and the simple pleasure of a good book on the porch. Share cosy moments under a blanket on a snowy afternoon, catching snowflakes on your tongue. The best part is that you get to relive all these wonders through their eyes for the very first time. Related Posts Mrs. Georgina Boateng (fourth from right) presenting the items to Isaac Quansah Okyere, with them are Mr. Fredrick Tetteh, Headmaster of the School and other dignitaries Promote Welfare of Children with Special Needs Substance Abuse Among Children

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Positive Parenting – Some Effective Strategies to Promote Responsible Parenting

Editors Pick, News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Positive parenting is an approach that emphasizes creating a nurturing and supportive relationship with children. It centres around showing love and kindness while encouraging positive behaviours through praise, guidance, and clearly defined expectations rather than resorting to punishment or harsh discipline. The ultimate goal is to help children thrive by making them feel valued and understood. Key aspects of positive parenting include: √ Positive reinforcement*: This involves genuinely praising and recognizing good behaviour to encourage its repetition. √ Open communication*: It’s essential to listen to a child’s thoughts and feelings attentively and to express your own thoughts clearly. √ Setting clear limits*: Establishing consistent rules and boundaries is important, along with explaining the reasons behind them to foster understanding. √ Empathy and understanding*: Making an effort to see things from a child’s perspective and responding with compassion shows that their feelings matter. √ Building self-esteem*: Encouraging a child’s sense of competence and self-worth through support and affirmation is crucial for their development. Related Posts A Comprehensive Guide to Supporting Children and Against Child Abuse How to Prevent Your Child from Being Spoiled or Overindulged

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Children and Internet Safety

News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

To help keep children safe online, it’s essential to teach them some basic rules and regularly monitor their online activity. Here are some important rules to pass on to your child: – Don’t share personal details like their name, address, or phone number without permission. – Avoid sending pictures of friends or family unless they have permission. – Stay away from emails or messages from strangers. – Never agree to meet someone in person that they’ve only talked to online. – Always report any threatening, frightening, or inappropriate messages to an adult. – Be cautious of potential risks, such as adults pretending to be kids. In addition to teaching rules, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your child’s online activities: – Set limits on the amount of time they can spend on the computer. – Restrict access to certain websites. Here are a few extra tips to consider: – Use strong and unique passwords for email accounts. – Keep software and apps updated to the latest versions. – Activate two-step verification for added security. – Consider using a password manager to safely store passwords. – Don’t forget to back up your data regularly. Related Posts The Importance of Early Intervention in Cases Of Child Abuse Children React to Emotions Differently

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What Bullying Does To A Child

News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Bullying is a purposeful display of aggression and authority aimed at diminishing others. Its negative impact extends not only to the victim but also to the overall school atmosphere; victims often become withdrawn, making participation in class challenging. Physical bullying can lead to serious injuries, while verbal bullying can result in enduring emotional and psychological hardships for the victim. Furthermore, it may lead to students dropping out of school and developing various insecurities, including diminished self-esteem and confidence, which hinder their ability to engage in community life. Ultimately, bullying creates an unfavorable environment for teaching, learning, and social interactions among peers. We must strive to enhance the safety of our schools by actively preventing and addressing all forms of bullying. It is essential to foster an environment where children are encouraged to be friendly and inclusive towards their peers, regardless of differences. Related Posts Children React to Emotions Differently Mrs. Georgina Boateng (fourth from right) presenting the items to Isaac Quansah Okyere, with them are Mr. Fredrick Tetteh, Headmaster of the School and other dignitaries Promote Welfare of Children with Special Needs

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Children React to Emotions Differently

News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Children respond to emotions differently than adults due to their ongoing brain development. This developmental stage often results in children experiencing emotions with greater intensity and possessing a reduced capacity for emotional regulation. Consequently, their reactions can vary based on their unique temperaments and life experiences. Some children may outwardly express their emotions, while others may prefer to withdraw when they are feeling distressed. Is your teenager violent, depressed, abusing alcohol or drugs, or facing other problems? Here’s how to ease the stress at home and help your teen transition into a happy, successful adult. Why do teens act the way they do? Children read emotions differently. Children differ from adults in their ability to read and understand emotions in the faces of others. Adults use the prefrontal cortex to read emotional cues, but teenagers rely on the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotional reactions. Research shows that teens often misread facial expressions; when shown pictures of adult faces expressing different emotions, teens most often interpret them as being angry. When typical teen behaviour becomes troubled teen behavior. As teenagers begin to assert their independence and find their own identity, many experience behavioural changes that can seem bizarre and unpredictable to parents. Your sweet, obedient child who once couldn’t bear to be separated from you now won’t be seen within 20 yards of you and greets everything you say with a roll of the eyes or the slam of a door. As difficult as this can be for parents to endure, they are the actions of a normal teenager. A troubled teen, on the other hand, exhibits behavioural, emotional, or learning problems beyond typical teenage issues. They may repeatedly practice at-risk behaviours, including drinking, drug use, sex, violence, skipping school, self-harming, shoplifting, or other criminal acts. Or they may exhibit symptoms of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. While any negative behaviour repeated over and over can be a sign of underlying trouble, parents need to understand which behaviours are normal during adolescent development and which can point to more serious problems. Related Posts Fusena’s parents from the right, receiving donation from Abdul Wakil Yahaya, a member of STACAN STACAN Supports Young Fusena After Troubling Ordeal Prioritize the Welfare of Children – Organization Urges Government

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Effective Strategies for Supporting a Child with Speech Delays

Editors Pick, News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Supporting a child with a speech delay Supporting a child with a speech delay can be challenging, but your involvement can make a significant difference. Here are some gentle ways to help: Talk to your child – Engage with your child frequently and try to get down to their eye level to create a connection. Maintain good eye contact, and as you go about your day, narrate your activities while pointing out objects. This helps them understand and learn. Encourage imitation – Invite your child to imitate sounds and gestures. Making it a fun activity can boost their confidence and willingness to communicate. Read to your child – Choose age-appropriate books to read together and take the time to discuss the pictures. This not only enhances language skills but also fosters a love for stories. Use everyday situations – Talk your way through daily routines—name the foods at mealtime, explain what you’re doing during chores, and point out interesting things you see. This turns everyday moments into learning opportunities. Provide choices – Offer your child choices to encourage them to express themselves. For instance, holding up two toys and asking which one they’d like to play with encourages decision-making and communication. Be patient – Allow your child the time they need to express themselves. Your patience can help create a safe space for them to speak without feeling rushed. Repeat words correctly – When your child makes mistakes, gently repeat the words back to them correctly instead of pointing out errors. This reinforces their learning in a supportive way. Let your child interact with others – Encourage your child to engage with peers who have good language skills. Interacting with others can provide valuable models for speech development. Model sounds and words – Consistently model sounds and words for your child. Sharing this advice with caregivers, like childminders or nannies, can ensure a consistent approach. Every small effort count and your support means the world to your child as they navigate their journey with communication. Related Posts Prioritize the Welfare of Children – Organization Urges Government Substance Abuse Among Children

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How to Prevent Your Child from Being Spoiled or Overindulged

News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Addressing this issue can be challenging, especially if the child has spent several years learning that persistence often leads to getting what they want. The adults in their lives may have developed habits that unintentionally support this behaviour. The first step is to examine your actions as well as those of all the adults involved in the child’s upbringing. Identify the habits that encourage the child’s entitlement and either collaborate with those individuals to adjust their behaviours or limit their involvement with the child for the time being. It might mean cutting back on visits to grandma until the child learns and adopts a new set of behaviours. While it’s unfortunate, prioritizing the child’s future takes precedence over adult feelings in this situation. Keep a close eye on interactions to ensure everyone adheres to the new rules. Remember, you will be parenting this child for a limited time, but if you have raised a spoiled child and only start addressing their behaviour at age ten, you might find yourself facing the consequences of earlier inaction. Once you ensure the adults are aligned, you can shift your focus to the child, and this will undoubtedly be the tougher part. Establish and maintain clear boundaries. There are countless resources available that can help you identify and enforce these boundaries positively. Understand that “no” should be treated as a complete sentence when necessary. By age ten, engaging in discussion and explanation typically becomes more effective; it’s important to strengthen your knowledge and communication skills to outmatch the child’s arguments. Recognize good behaviour and ensure there are consequences for misbehaviour. This doesn’t mean resorting to physical punishment but rather implementing a fair disciplinary system where consequences fit the behaviour. Consistency is key – be firm so that, the child understands his misbehaviour will lead to repercussions. Resist the temptation to change any punishments based on your mood, whether you are having a tough day or not. Be prepared to put in extra effort and work hard to correct not only the child’s behaviour but also that of the adults around them. Related Posts Ways to Nurture and Protect Children from Abuse Children React to Emotions Differently

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Ways to Nurture and Protect Children from Abuse

Editors Pick, News / Wisdom Kobla Gozah

Offer Your Time to Help Engaging with your community can make a world of difference. Consider volunteering with other parents to lend a hand to vulnerable children and their families. Starting a playgroup can create a supportive environment for children to thrive and connect. Discipline with Care and Understanding It’s important to approach discipline thoughtfully, especially during challenging moments. Give yourself the grace to calm down before addressing your behaviour. Remember that discipline is a learning opportunity for your child. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour, and consider time-outs as a moment to help your child regain composure. Reflect on your actions too, as both words and actions can leave lasting emotional scars. Be a Loving and Compassionate Parent Demonstrate through your actions that conflicts can be resolved peacefully, without resorting to hitting or yelling. Your calm influence can teach children valuable lessons about conflict resolution. Educate Yourself and Others Support for children and parents is crucial in preventing child abuse. Encourage after-school programs, parenting classes, mentoring opportunities, and respite care services. Your voice in these community efforts can help create a safer environment for all children. Empower Children with Knowledge of Their Rights Help children understand their value and their right to feel safe. Teaching them that it’s not their fault if they experience abuse strengthens their ability to speak up and seek help. Champion Prevention Programs Too often, action is taken only after abuse has already occurred. It’s vital to invest in preventative programs, such as family counselling and home visits by nurses for new parents, which play an essential role in protecting our children before issues arise. Recognize the Different Forms of Abuse Awareness is key. Child maltreatment includes not just physical and sexual abuse, but also neglect—failing to provide essential care, nutrition, and support. Emotional abuse, characterized by rejection or isolation, can also deeply affect a child’s well-being. Stay vigilant for signs, such as unexplained injuries, depression, fear of adults, difficulty trusting others, changes in eating or sleeping habits, and inappropriate behaviour. These may indicate serious family problems and the need for intervention. Take Action and Report Abuse If you witness harm or suspect abuse, it’s crucial to report it. Contact your local child protective services or law enforcement. If a child confides in you, listen with empathy, reassure them they’ve done the right thing by speaking up, and affirm that they are not at fault. Invest in Children’s Futures Encourage community leaders to prioritize the well-being of children and families. Supporting initiatives that uplift and protect them is a shared responsibility. Advocate for Family-Friendly Work Environments Urge employers and lawmakers to create policies that foster nurturing, supportive environments for families. Together, we can build a better future for our children. Related Posts What Bullying Does To A Child How to Prevent Your Child from Being Spoiled or Overindulged

Ways to Nurture and Protect Children from Abuse Read More »

Substance Abuse Among Children

Who Takes Custody of the Child after a Divorce?

Keeping Children Safe while they Enjoy their Adventures

Positive Parenting – Some Effective Strategies to Promote Responsible Parenting

Children and Internet Safety

What Bullying Does To A Child

Children React to Emotions Differently

Effective Strategies for Supporting a Child with Speech Delays

How to Prevent Your Child from Being Spoiled or Overindulged

Ways to Nurture and Protect Children from Abuse

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