Does your child misbehave?

All children do.

It’s part of life.

Children between the ages of two and six are learning how to control their feelings and behaviours. During this time, it’s normal for them to behave inappropriately as they explore boundaries, try to understand the world around them, and as they develop their independence.

Here are 12 Proactive Ways you can help your child, before misbehaviour happens. Some of these ways you can start to implement when your child reaches two years old, and some may need to wait until they are older. Get started right away!

1. Set Clear and Consistent Rules: Make sure your child understands what the rules are and what is expected of them. Be consistent in enforcing these rules. - No means No

2. When Possible Offer Choices: Offering choices helps children feel more in control, and their opinion matters.

3. Model Positive Behavior: Act or react the way you want your child to. Speak as you want your child to speak.

4. Provide Praise and Positive Reinforcement: When your child follows rules or behaves well, make sure to praise them. Positive reinforcement encourages good behavior. (sorry, this does not mean bribes. It does mean high fives, saying your proud of them, or a genuine smile and head nod)

5. Explain Reasons: Some children respond to parent requests when they understand the reason behind it. When possible give a quick, short explanation.

6. Teach Emotion Words: Help children learn to recognize and name their feelings, such as "angry," "sad," or "frustrated." The more children can express their emotions with words, the less likely they are to misbehaviour.

7. Reduce Stress: maintain a consistent routine. Ensure that your child has enough sleep and time for activities they enjoy.

8. Ask For Help: Teach your child to seek help in situations where they don’t know how to handle it.

9. Teach Patience: Help children understand that some things take time. Encourage waiting by practicing small delays (e.g., waiting a few minutes before having a snack).

10. Practice Calming Techniques: Teach children how to do deep breathing exercises, counting, or using a quiet space to relax.

11. Encourage Loud Physical Activity: Allow your child to be loud and play outside or do something active, this helps to teach self regulation.

12. Retreat: Let your child know it’s okay to step away from a situation. Teach them to say ‘I need a break’. Allowing them to step away can be helpful while calming themselves down. Also teach them that they need to return to the situation and resolve it.

Hope this helps

See you around!

Check out these books in our Lending Library:

The 5 Love Languages Of Children

Parent Do Make A Difference

How To Behave So your Children Will Too

9 Ways To bring Out The Best In You & Your Child

The Discipline Book

Check out this Mindful Parenting Worksheet:

Planning Ahead 2 Worksheet