New
New
Lesson 1 of 4
  • Year 11

Good parenting

I can describe the qualities and responsibilities of 'good enough' parenting.

Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
  • Year 11

Good parenting

I can describe the qualities and responsibilities of 'good enough' parenting.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Donald Winnicott developed the 'good enough' parenting theory in 1953.
  2. Winnicott argued that parenting just needs to be 'good enough'; it doesn't need to be perfect.
  3. 'Good enough' parenting involves connection, love, support, structure and guidance.
  4. Consistent boundaries help children feel secure.
  5. Parenting adapts to a child’s age and needs.

Keywords

  • Attunement - being aware of and responding to a child’s needs and emotions in a caring and understanding way

  • Emotional regulation - managing your own feelings and reactions, especially when feeling stressed, frustrated or overwhelmed

  • Consistency - when something is done in the same way, in a steady and regular pattern so things are reliable and fair

  • Boundary - an imaginary line separating what we will or won’t allow

Common misconception

Good parenting means never getting it wrong or apologising to children.

Parenting just needs to be 'good enough'. 'Good enough' parents and carers sometimes make mistakes. In these instances, they apologise and repair the relationship with their child.


To help you plan your year 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Good parenting, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use fictional scenarios to spark discussion about parenting challenges and responsibilities.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each age group with the most appropriate way to handle bedtime.

Correct Answer:three-year-old,consistent routine with story and comfort items

consistent routine with story and comfort items

Correct Answer:ten-year-old,more independence with agreed guidelines about sleep needs

more independence with agreed guidelines about sleep needs

Correct Answer:16-year-old,set time but allow some flexibility for homework/social activities

set time but allow some flexibility for homework/social activities

Q2.
Clear rules help children feel more and confident.

Correct Answer: safe, secure, stable, protected, comfortable

Q3.
What do you think is most important for a child's emotional development?

having the latest toys and gadgets
Correct answer: feeling loved and understood by their caregivers
being the smartest child in the class
having wealthy parents

Q4.
When a parent or carer makes a mistake, what is usually the best response?

pretend it didn't happen to maintain authority
blame the child for causing the mistake
Correct answer: acknowledge the mistake and try to do better next time
give up trying to be a good parent or carer

Q5.
Good parenting should as children grow older.

Correct Answer: change, adapt, adjust, evolve, develop

Q6.
Match each parenting action with what it primarily shows.

Correct Answer:really listening to a child's worries,shows understanding and responsiveness to needs

shows understanding and responsiveness to needs

Correct Answer:reading bedtime stories every night,creates structure and predictability in daily life

creates structure and predictability in daily life

Correct Answer:giving a hug when a child is crying,provides emotional support and validation

provides emotional support and validation

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their definitions.

Correct Answer:boundary,an imaginary line separating what we will or won’t allow

an imaginary line separating what we will or won’t allow

Correct Answer:consistent,usually done in the same way so things are reliable and fair

usually done in the same way so things are reliable and fair

Correct Answer:resilience,the ability to cope with challenging situations

the ability to cope with challenging situations

Correct Answer:repair,to make something whole and working again

to make something whole and working again

Q2.
Good parenting involves structure, emotional regulation and .

Correct Answer: attunement

Q3.
In a parent-child relationship, emotional regulation means ...

stopping a child crying.
Correct answer: helping a child to calm.
Correct answer: the adult keeping themselves calm.
shouting at a child.
shaming a child.

Q4.
Why is 'good enough' parenting important?

It allows parents to do whatever they like.
Correct answer: It teaches children to tolerate an imperfect world.
It promotes feelings of guilt in parents.
Correct answer: It allows parents to make mistakes.
It makes children feel insecure.

Q5.
Why are consistent boundaries important?

Boundaries make a parent/carer's job easy.
Correct answer: Boundaries help children feel secure.
Boundaries are only there for children to test.
Boundaries are a form of punishment.
Boundaries can stay the same as a child develops.

Q6.
Who developed the ‘good enough’ parenting theory?

Brené Brown
Daniel Siegel
Correct answer: Donald Winnicott
Mary Hartzell