For example, taxation policies should not financially penalize families who choose to have one parent stay home with their children. Developing sense of competence Children's confidence to try new things increases when they are encouraged to explore their environment and receive positive feedback for their efforts to master new skills. Children who are helped to succeed and praised for their success develop a sense of competence. Children who see themselves as competent learners are likely to have positive attitudes toward trying new things. Children's natural temperament also influences their willingness to enter new situations and try new activities.
Some children are naturally more shy or anxious than others.
Sensitive parents know how to support and encourage their children in ways that build a sense of increasing competence without pushing them in ways that increase their anxiety. Being able to take turns, to wait patiently and to deal with anger in non-aggressive ways helps children be accepted by their peers. These social skills demonstrate a child's capacity for impulse control. Although the seeds of self-control are planted in infancy, children have to learn to apply it in many different situations during their preschool years. Parents help children by establishing high, but reasonable expectations for their behaviour while maintaining warm, highly responsive relationships.