THE INFLUENCE OF OVERPROTECTIVE PARENTING STYLES ON CHILDHOOD COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Parenting styles portrayed with overprotection, such as plastic wrap, bubble wrap, helicoptering, and velcro parenting, have garnered increasing attention for their potential impact on childhood cognitive development. This position paper argues that these parenting styles, while spurred by a desire to safeguard children, may inadvertently hinder maximum cognitive growth by stunting children's exposure to challenges, autonomy, and opportunities for life-realities. This paper asserts that a balance between protection and autonomy-granting is critical for fostering childhood cognitive development. The implications of plastic wrap, bubble wrap, helicoptering, and velcro parenting styles for cognitive outcomes are discussed, stating the need for parenting approaches that promote children's engagement with challenges and support childhood cognitive development.