Children are human beings who have not yet reached adulthood (typically 13-19 years old). They are different from babies and teens in some ways, including that they can be born as young as six weeks.

They have fewer rights than adults, which can make it harder for them to take part in important activities or decisions. They are also vulnerable to violence, sexual exploitation and child labour.

It is important to let children know that they are loved and supported. This will help them feel safe and secure, and it will give them a chance to be free to express themselves.

Kids don’t like to be told off or criticised for their mistakes, but it is essential that you correct them if they are doing something wrong. This is especially true if they are not acting how you would expect them to behave.

For example, if your child is throwing toys out of the car and it’s not a good idea, tell them that they shouldn’t do this, and show them how to move objects safely. They may be very young, so you’ll have to explain the rules as you go along.

When they’ve done a good job, reward them with a smile or a hug. This is much more effective than telling them off, because it shows your child that they are appreciated and that you will support their efforts.

Your child will want to learn new skills, so they should be encouraged to try out new things. This can include trying out music, going to the cinema or learning a language.

This can be a fun and exciting way to learn, but it’s crucial that you don’t pressure them too hard. Getting them to do something too quickly can be frustrating, and they could easily fall behind.

Playing with toys and making models helps your child to develop their fine motor skills. Use soft, colourful materials for this and get them to play with these for as long as they are interested in doing so. They might not like the idea at first, but they will soon start to recognise the fun of playing with these.

They’ll love being able to play with other people too, so encourage them to join in games, whether they are at home or in the park or playground. This will teach them how to share, cooperate and be fair to each other.

You should also let them experience the different feelings and emotions that other people have. This will help them to understand that they are not alone in having certain feelings, and that other people have the same feelings as them.

You can also make up songs about different things and sing them together. You might even get your child to help you write a song about their favourite topic, or to tell you all about their day. This will give you some time to talk to them and to have a laugh.