ChildMind.org, meanwhile, shares important ways for parents to “bolster” good behavior, including:
As a parent, avoid making these mistakes:
Here are four common behavior issues in children and how you can handle them appropriately.
Address this immediately by taking your child to the side and explaining that hurting someone else is not allowed. Talk about how your child would feel if that happened to him or her. Before the next play time, remind your child of his or her limits and end the play time if the rough behavior resurfaces.
It can be beyond frustrating to have to tell your child three, four or five times to pick up his or her toys, clean up a mess, or come inside. Beyond upsetting you, continually repeating a request to your child can get him or her used to waiting for the next reminder to do the task instead of doing it when first asked.
Instead, walk over to your child and speak directly to him or her. Have your child look directly at you while you speak and respond to you. You may need to say your child’s name, touch a shoulder or turn off the television. If that doesn’t work, impose a consequence, such as reduced video watching.
Make sure your child understands the specifics that aren’t acceptable, so he or she understands what the behavior looks or sounds like. It might include eye rolling or using a certain tone of voice. If the behavior continues, don’t interact with your child; you might say, “When you’re ready to talk nicely, I’ll listen.”
If your child says he or she went to Disney World, for example, when that trip is really something that’s desired (but hasn’t happened), talk to your child about the statement. Say that you understand it would be nice to go – and maybe someday you will – but it isn’t okay to tell a friend you’ve been when you haven’t. One mom told her child the story of the boy who cried wolf to illustrate how, if you exaggerate, someday people won’t believe you when you’re telling the truth.