What to do with a child's bad behavior: tips that will help

Children's behavior cannot always be ideal, and then difficult situations arise that require confident and decisive actions. What to do if your child's behavior has deteriorated, read in detail in this material. Specialists shared relevant advice Parents publications. "The word "discipline" comes from the Latin word, which means "training". In the parenting approach, discipline is used to teach habits such as kindness and respect. Therefore, to be effective, you need a careful approach and understanding of what you really want to achieve," explains Thomas Lykona, Doctor of Philosophy and Psychology, author of the book "How to Raise Good Children." He notes that consistency and lots of practice are the main aspects in this process.

How to improve a child's behavior

State your expectations

Talk about what you don't like and what you want to change. Explain why this is important and why you should not do as the child is doing. Give clear examples of kindness. For example, if a child is arguing with someone, explain that simply listening can make the situation better.

Here are some more recommendations that should be taken into account:

For example, you can say:

• "We don't use profanity during quarrels"
• "We use manners such as the words 'please' and 'thank you'
• "We don't transfer our negativity to other people."

Strengthen family values

Choose specific scenarios in order to show the child what is really considered good and correct. If one cartoon character hurts another, discuss the consequences of the situation and explain why you shouldn't do that. Emphasize your main ideas so that the child understands the accuracy of your words.

Don't be afraid to correct mistakes

Regardless of who the child misbehaves with - you, a brother, sister, peer or pet - immediately and decisively make a decision to correct the situation, using firm, but not raised tones of explanation. If something goes wrong, says Dr. Michele Borba, for example, say: "It was not very good. You just pulled your girlfriend's hair. How do you think she feels now? How would you feel if this happened to you?"

Advice for parents on raising children. Source: unsplash.com

Appeal to sympathy

"Most children do not want to harm others," explains Doctor of Philosophy and professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia Kyla Hamlin. "If children are able to understand that their actions have a bad effect on others, they will be able to quickly rethink their behavior." In addition, the expert advises you, as parents, to also monitor your own behavior and words, since children have a habit of repeating and reflecting the behavior of their parents.

Help the child make amends to those whom he has offended

Perhaps it will be a postcard for a classmate or girlfriend whom he offended, or replacing a broken toy with a new one. In some cases, it will be enough to say: "What do I need to do to correct the situation?".

Stick to your limits

If you have disciplined your child and limited his time in front of the TV or phone, do not abandon these rules. Make the punishment match the concession and it will work. "Consequences must be appropriate in nature and measure," Hamlin explains. "If the punishment is unfair or accidental, it can have the opposite effect."

What to do if the child behaves poorly. Source: unsplash.com

Praise the child.

Despite the difficulties, do not forget to repeat to him that he is good and good. For example, say: "You are a good person, but what you did was not very good." "After all, children behave the way they see themselves," says Dr. Borba. "The words we use in conversations with children can become their inner voices. Therefore, use every opportunity to tell children that they are good people, that you notice and appreciate their efforts," the experts conclude.