Recent psychological research from the United States has discovered that individual traits can predict success, and family educational traits in particular have a significant impact on a child's success. The following are 10 common traits of parents of successful children, summarized by the American media outlet Business Insider based on recent research from the U.S. academic community:
1. Have children do chores.
Children who do chores from a young age grow up to be employees who collaborate well with colleagues; these children are more empathetic and capable of handling tasks independently.
2. Teach children how to interact with others.
A 20-year study from the U.S. shows that children who are good at cooperating with other children, are able to help and understand others, and can solve interpersonal problems on their own have a greater chance of obtaining a college degree and holding a full-time job by the age of 25.
Conversely, children with limited communication skills have a higher probability of being arrested, struggling with alcoholism, or applying for public housing.
3. Have high expectations for children.
Parental expectations have a huge impact on a child's future achievements. Generally, when children are held to high expectations, they perform better.
"Parents who expect their children to go to college will help them achieve this goal, even if their income is limited." The survey found that among children who performed poorly in school, 57% of their parents expected them to go to college; among children who performed well, 96% were expected to go to college.
4. Maintain a healthy marital relationship.
Children living with parents who argue frequently, regardless of whether the family is intact or broken, do not develop as well as children whose parents get along harmoniously. Some U.S. studies have found that children in harmonious single-parent families develop better than children growing up in two-parent families characterized by constant conflict.
5. Generally have higher levels of education.
Mothers who have completed high school or college are more inclined to ensure their children receive the same level of education.
The latest U.S. research found: "The educational level of parents when a child is 8 years old is significantly correlated with the child's future educational attainment and career success 40 years later."
6. Have children learn math early.
It is extremely important for children to learn math skills from a young age; it is best if they have already mastered the writing of numbers, their order, and basic mathematical concepts by the time they enter school. Relevant research results show that the degree to which young children master basic math skills can not only predict math grades but also reflect their future performance in reading.
7. Build a good relationship with children.
Parents who take meticulous care of their children "respond to the signals sent by their children in a timely and reasonable manner" and "provide a safe harbor" for children to explore the world.
American psychologists' research indicates that investment in early parent-child relationships can bring long-term returns for parents throughout their lives.
8. Experience less stress.
Stressed mothers, especially those who have difficulty finding time to spend with their children due to work pressure, may actually have a negative impact on their children. This is because an adult's emotions are as contagious as a cold.
9. Value the process of effort more.
Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck found that children (and adults) generally have two different ways of perceiving success.
(1) "Fixed mindset," which assumes that our personality, intelligence, and creative ability are static, and believes that success is whether these factors combined can reach a predetermined standard; consequently, to maintain the feeling of being smart and skilled, people will pursue success and avoid failure at all costs.
(2) "Growth mindset," which does not view failure as evidence of not being smart enough, but rather as an incentive to promote growth and strengthen survival skills.
These two mindsets have a powerful influence on children. If a child is told they did well because they are smart, this belongs to a "fixed mindset"; if parents recognize the child's effort, what the child learns is a "growth mindset."
10. Mothers have jobs.
Harvard Business School research found that mothers working outside the home is highly beneficial to a child's growth. Their children stay in school longer, are more likely to obtain high-level positions, and earn 23% more than their peers raised by stay-at-home mothers.
In addition, a working mother can also encourage children to help with chores and look after younger siblings.
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