What Can I Do About Bad Child Behaviour?
All children will misbehave at some point, some more frequently and severely than others, some less so. Many parents as themselves: “What can I do about bad child behaviour?” There is no definite answer to child misbehaviour. Different children misbehave differently and for different reasons. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce misbehaviour and improve your child’s good behaviour.
Planning is an important factor in good parenting. You must be aware of your expectations for your child. You need to plan for good behaviour instead of worrying about the possibility of bad behaviour. The majority of bad child behaviour occurs during times of adjustment and transition. Considering that childhood is by nature is a continuous transitional process and involves rapid adjustment to developmental changes, it is the natural reaction for children to misbehave in response to challenges and difficulties that they don’t have to skills to accomplish.
When planning to minimise bad child behaviour it is important to incorporate your child’s temperament, age and skills into the planning process. Apply direct and succinct guidance and instructions, as well as including opportunities for your child to practice the skills he/she will need to succeed in the challenges of childhood.
A strong, loving relationship between children and their parents is key for a child’s healthy social upbringing. As a parent, you need to tell your child you love him and expressive your love by taking time out from your daily routine to play, listen and teach your child. The relationship built between a parent and child is developed through the words you say and the tone of voice you apply. The bond between child and parent is strengthened by the laughter your share as well. To avoid bad child behaviour it is important that you pass important life skills onto your child every day.
Your response to your child’s behaviour, whether it is good or bad, is a key tool for improving bad child behaviour. A basic understanding of behavioural modification principles will be a great help when planning your response to improve bad child behaviour. Ultimately it boils down to the child’s actions and the consequences leading from those actions. If a child’s actions warrant positive reinforcement, then over time the child will learn that such behaviour is appropriate. When a child’s actions elicit punishment, over time the child will learn it is inappropriate and the behaviour will be extinguished.
Over time children will make the connection between an action and its consequence and whether it is correct or incorrect behaviour through the action of consistent reinforcement or punishment. As a parent you don’t always have to provide the consequences to a child’s actions. More often than not a child’s actions will result in natural consequences. Parents can help the learning process by highlighting to the child what they did wrong and why such behaviour lead to a certain consequence.
Parental responses to bad child behaviour can shape a child’s behaviour drastically. Your approval or disapproval of a child’s behaviour is generally enough to punish or reinforce the behaviour.
The critical point to take away is that, as a parent, you must attend to your child’s moods, behaviour and needs; and then, responds appropriately to either good or bad behaviour quickly and consistently. This way bad child behaviour will be extinguished and good behaviour will be reinforced.
