Christine Morris (left), business and life coach, listens keenly to representatives of the Child Development Agency, Best Care Lodge, Office of the Children's Advocate, and parents from August Town and Mountain View talk about some of the issues they face when dealing with children. The occasion was a recent half-day seminar under the theme 'Getting the Best out of our Children', held at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Parents and caregivers have a responsibility to get the best out of the children they raise, according to Christine Morris, business and life coach.

Morris hosted a seminar in Kingston recently, providing comprehensive information aimed at parents and caregivers about how to get the best out of children.

The seminar was mainly focused on raising children to be responsible upright adults.

Role models

To succeed in this process, Morris said parents and caregivers should be good role models and lead by example; should instil positive values and attitudes in the child; should ensure the child's life is balanced with a proper education, spiritual teaching, healthy meals, adequate sleep, and exercise.

"Values and attitudes are at the root of getting the best out of our children," she said.

The desired outcome for children is dependent on the foundation they get at the start of their lives and this will determine whether children grow to be well-rounded adults or dysfunctional adults, according to the life coach.

Essential ingredient

Building rapport with children was identified as an essential ingredient for parents and caregivers to get the best out of their children as it builds trust and respect between both parties.

Morris advised participants of the seminar to speak to children at eye level, as this will get their attention and keep parents/caregivers focused and calm.

Support

POSITIVE Parenting

Participants were also encouraged to find out their children's interests and support them, even if it is not what they would want for the child.

"Praise them when they do something commendable," Morris said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by motivational speaker, Nadine Martin.

Martin told The Gleaner that parents and guardians must always have a positive attitude towards their children, because negativity only breeds negativity in the child.

A mother to five children, Martin said she believes she can help to change and influence children who are heading down the path of destruction, because she was once in a similar situation.