So what is changing behaviour?
Well changing behaviour is also referred to as mood swings and sudden temper tantrums and the like. So, changing child behaviour is what parents have to face when their children become old enough to develop a distinct personality and often an attitude to go with that personality.
Every parent is constantly battling the "But I forgot!" blues and the "But I didn't know I was supposed to" syndromes, especially if their children are teenagers. But the problem is, as lame as these excuses may sound to a parent, the simple fact is that kids really do simply just forget and need constant reminders to do even the simplest of tasks like brushing their teeth.
Reminders are just cues that are used to refresh the hazy and somewhat lazy memories of busy children.
They can come in the form of subtle prompts like waggling a finger or shaking your head. Both gestures will encourage your child to stop doing something.
Short verbal cues are also used to remind kids about what they are supposed to be doing, like asking "are you finished?" or just by stating "well done, your finished!" will subtly prompt them to remember the task that they are supposed to be doing.
Some situations may require you to utilize a more thorough reminder that will stay in the child's memory longer, like - "Don't forget what I told you about playing in the street! Be careful, and always look both ways! You don't want to get hit by a car!"
Reminding your kids to do something or behave better is just a follow up to You having already told them. In terms of behaviour, You will have already talked to your child, and he/she already knows what you are expecting and he/she has previously agreed to the terms. It is always a good idea to make a behaviour chart and place it somewhere where your child can see it clearly. Reward your child when they behave well and remind your child when their behaviour is falling below standard.
Reminders simply just prompt a child to use their own judgement. They teach the child valuable skills that they can use for their own benefit, too. It's a bit like problem solving in which You are giving the clues and then leaving the child to fill in the blanks.
Learning to change your child's behaviour is NOT hard once you learn a little about how to be more proactive. Putting a stop to their behaviour before it changes is probably the best result that a parent can achieve. Learning how to feed and nurture good habits is also a proactive parenting step that parents must learn to do.
More information in Happy Child Guide
Related Pages
Good Parent Guide
Toddler temper tantrums and how to deal with them
Better Behaviour Wheel
Happy Child Guide
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