Being a parent can be one of the most fulfilling and also one of the most difficult journeys of all time. How you communicate, coach, and support your child will ultimately affect aspects of your child’s personality, behavior and future success in life, just to name a few. Approaches to parenting may differ from family to family, but studies show that parenting styles directly affect the manner in which children will emotionally, socially and academically develop. 

In this blog we will study the link between parenting styles and the stages of growth and development. As well as provide some down to earth suggestions about raising kids who are confident, resilient and compassionate.

Parenting styles are the habitual behaviors, attitudes, and ways of communicating that parents use to raise their children. Psychologists generally classify parenting styles into four primary categories:

• Authoritative (balanced and nurturing)
• Authoritarian (strict and controlling)
• Permissive (lenient and indulgent)
• Uninvolved (neglectful or detached)

Each style plays a major role in a child’s growth and development, shaping their self-esteem, academic performance, and ability to handle challenges.

Parenting Style	Key Traits	Impact on Children
Authoritative	Supportive, sets limits, listens	High self-esteem, strong social skills, good academic achievements
Authoritarian	Strict, not warmth, high expectations	Obedient children but may lack confidence, struggle with decision-making
Permissive	Warm, few rules, indulgent	Creative, but may lack self-discipline, and accepting responsibility
Uninvolved	Detached, no emotional-validation, offers very little guidance	Low self-esteem, low academics and low social skills

Children go through different stages of growth and development, from infancy to adolescence. Each stage is going to require a slightly different parenting approach.

1. Infancy (0–2 years)
   • Babies need warmth, love, affection, and consistency.
   • Authoritative parenting helps infants develop trust and security.
2. Early Childhood (3–6 years)
   • Young children explore independence but still require boundaries.
   • Too much control (authoritarian) may lead to fear while too much parental permissiveness – may result in behavior problems.
3.  Middle Childhood (7–12 years)
   • Middle childhood is a time when children are developing social skills, self-confidence, and academic skills and habits.
   • Authoritative parenting can guide the child to balance encouragement with direct responsibilities.
4.  Adolescence (13–18 years)
   • Adolescents need just enough room and independence, with a certain positive limit.
   • Parents should encourage open communication opportunities and support adolescents in making good decisions.

The link between parenting styles and child growth and development is undeniable.

• Emotional Development: Authoritative parents raise kids with resilience and empathy.
• Cognitive Development: Supportive environments enhance problem-solving and creative development.
• Social Development: Children learn communication, cooperation, and confidence.
• Behavioral Development: Balanced discipline leads to responsibility and accountability.

Following are practical strategies parents can use for healthy child growth and development:

• Set clear rules and expectations but explain the reasons behind them.
• Listen actively to your child’s feelings and ideas.
• Encourage independence while providing guidance.
• Model positive behavior — children learn more from observing you than what you say.
• Support learning and curiosity with activities that match each stage of growth and development.

Parenting isn’t about being perfect, but about consistency, love, and adaptability. Your parenting style has a big impact on your child’s emotional, social, and academic development. Understanding the way different styles work throughout the stages of growth and development can help you present a range of choices to support your child’s potential.

At MySchoolAdmission, we believe raising kids is not just about academics—it’s about shaping well-rounded individuals.