In this article, we share our tips on helping your child develop a sense of belonging and why it’s important:
Having a sense of belonging and strong ties within the family and community give children a feeling of safety, providing a secure base from which to explore their world.
When children have a sense of belonging, they develop confidence and a strong sense of identity. It also aids mental health and learning.
How You Can Help
As a parent, there are many ways you can help your child to develop a sense of belonging:
Consistency – predictability within family relationships gives children a sense of safety. When your child knows what to expect within their relationships they feel more secure.
Routines and Rituals – related to consistency, creating routines and rituals for regular family activities and tasks enhances your child’s sense of belonging.
Respect and Understanding – when a child knows they will always receive respect and understanding from their family members, free of judgement or shaming, it helps them to flourish.
Care and Warmth – similarly, when children receive care, attention and warmth within their family relationships, it helps build their self esteem. It also helps them learn to be warm and caring toward others, further enhancing their sense of connection and belonging.
Encouraging Interests – children’s belief in their abilities and the contributions they can make, increase when family members support them in exploring the things that interest them.
Community and Peers – building connections with people outside the home is an essential part of creating a sense of belonging. This could be play dates, volunteering, or other social visits or interactions.
See Belonging through Community for Young Children for ideas of activities you can do together as a family
Tips for separated or divorced parents
Taking steps to avoid some common pitfalls where separation or divorce has occurred, can help children maintain and develop their sense of belonging and continue to thrive.
Give Children Their Own Space: if you’re sharing custody try, wherever possible, to give children a space that’s ‘theirs’ in both homes.
Always Be Respectful: no matter what’s going in your adult relationship, never speak badly of or to the other parent in front of your child (and yes sometimes that can be hard!).
Routine: maintain a predictable routine for your child as much as possible.
Don’t Go It Alone: if things feel like they’re getting too much, reach out for help from family, friends or support services.