Family organization has guidelines for raising healthy kids

The Center for the Improvement of Child Caring (CICC), a private, nonprofit community service, training and research corporation, offers the following guidelines for parents, grandparents and child caregivers to improve the quality of children’s lives.

•Give warmth, acceptance and respect.

•Enjoy child development and be alert to special needs.

•Use firm and fair leadership.

•Avoid spanking and verbal abuse.

•Prepare children for school early.

•Create a home life that supports education.

•Be an active partner with your children’s school.

•Teach children about their own and other cultures.

•Take charge of your child’s media exposure.

•Set a good example of lifelong learning.

•Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

These and other ideas are contained in the newly revised CICC publication "The Power of Positive Parenting" by Kerby T. Alvy, Ph.D. They are based on the latest research with thousand of families on the best ways to raise healthy and confident children.

The research shows that by following these suggestions, parents, grandparents and others will be providing the best defense against children using alcohol and drugs as well as becoming involved with gangs. Children who are raised in these positive ways learn to trust caring adults and to turn to them for guidance, according to Alvy.

For more information, please call (800) 325-2422 or visit via the Internet the Website at www.ciccparenting.org.