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