THE ROLE OF PAEDIATRICIANS IN GIVING GUIDANCE ON CHILDREN EDUCATION: ARE THERE ANY EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS?

Key words: Child discipline, Cognitive development, Child behaviour, Parenting, Obesity

To guide parents in children education is one of paediatricians’ responsibility but there are no clear criteria on how to do it. Education models vary from country to country, from family to family and the objectives of education may vary a lot as well. Genetic and social factors certainly play a big role in children psycho-social and behavioural development. Education interventions are not independent of those factors nor they are of the health professional who conveys the educative message. Conscious of these limitations, the Author reviews what are the evidence-based short- and medium-term interventions which may guide parents in educating children especially focusing on the following aspects: cognitive development, social skills development, obesity prevention, discipline development, avoidance of high risk behaviours and road accidents.