Helping children express themselves using a democratic intervention style
Of the methods used to help young children express themselves, the Ministère de la Famille recommends a democratic approach. This type of intervention provides children with multiple opportunities to express their opinions, likes and dislikes, and concerns.
Parents can adopt a democratic style, which falls between the directional style (or authoritative attitude) and permissive style (laissez-faire attitude).
Using this type of intervention, mothers and fathers provide their children with a balance between their desire for freedom and their need for safety. They allow their children to make choices and decisions and take initiatives. They also guide them using realistic, clear and constant behaviour rules and indicate the consequences of some other behaviours.
This approach brings adults and children to share in decision-making while providing the appropriate markers for children's safety and social development.
With the democratic style, errors and conflicts are considered learning opportunities.
Top of page