Managing Children’s Behaviour
Cecilia Sousa
&
Deb Davies
Managing Children’s behaviour
• Positive parenting
• Encouraging positive relationships with your child/ren
• The magic of praise
• Discipline and Boundaries
• Strategies for clear and consistent boundaries
What is positive parenting?
Positive parenting
• Dealing with unacceptable behaviour in a positive, calm and assertive manner can help you stay in control of situations and help your child/ren to understand their limits and boundaries. Think about whether your child gets more attention from you when they’re behaving in ways you like or don’t like.
• Having a safe, interesting environment
• Having a positive learning environment
• Using assertive discipline
• Having realistic expectation
• Taking care of yourself as a parent
Encouraging positive relationships with your child/ren
• Talk with your child
• Spend time with your child
• Show affection
• Praise your child for doing and being
Praise is magic!
• Praise often
• Be quick with your praise
• Use praise as a distraction
• Don’t just say the words – mean them
• Use descriptive praise
What is discipline?
Discipline
• Discipline is the process of teaching your child what type of behavior is acceptable and what is not.
• The word has the same origin as the word “disciple” – a follower, someone who is guided.
• Discipline is a system for guiding children not for punishing them.
Boundaries
• Children need firm, fair and consistent boundaries/rules. Inconsistency leads to confusion: children do not know what is expected of them or what to expect of adults; confusion leads to a sense of insecurity and often difficult behaviour.
• Constricting: Lots of rules and regulations, often backed up with severe punishments, little room to explore, do-as-you’re-told –like a dictatorship.
• Absent: No limits, anything goes, neglectful or indulgent – like anarchy.
• Inconsistent: Often a mixture of constricting and absent – strict one day and indulgent or neglectful the next
• Clear, consistent: Safe, fair limits with clear expectations stability with plenty of room to explore and grow – like a democracy
Strategies for clear and consistent boundaries.
• Family rules
• Clear and calm instructions
• Logical consequences
• Clear routines