Ontario Early Childhood Educator Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The correct choice represents a parenting style characterized by a balanced approach that combines clear expectations and guidelines with emotional responsiveness and support towards the child. This type of parenting is recognized for fostering a healthy environment in which children feel secure and valued, promoting both independence and self-discipline.

Authoritative parents set firm boundaries and standards but are also attentive to their children's emotional needs. They encourage open communication, allowing children to express their thoughts and feelings, which in turn helps to build a strong parent-child relationship. This approach has been shown to lead to positive developmental outcomes, including higher self-esteem, better social skills, and improved academic performance.

The other options do not embody this balance. For instance, the authoritarian style typically relies on strict discipline with little emotional warmth, the permissive style leans towards indulgence and lack of control, and the neglectful style involves a lack of both support and guidance, which can lead to negative impacts on a child's development. Therefore, the authoritative style stands out as the most effective in providing the necessary structure alongside emotional support.