Children’s Academy Talks Disciplinary Strategies
At Parkland Children’s Academy, we work together with parents to tackle common behavioral challenges. Discipline is a form of teaching, and it’s vital for children to learn the differences between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors from an early age.
However, discipline must take different forms for different age groups, and needn’t always be punishment or chastisement.
Learning continues at home, and the same applies to discipline. Behavioral management strategies at home and school should be consistent. In this post, we’ll look at some common behavioral issues and how parents can address them.
Discipline and Positive Reinforcement
Discipline is about teaching children that actions have consequences, and that they are responsible for their choices. This works in both a positive and negative sense.
Preschoolers thrive on positive attention, and love to impress their parents. Positive reinforcement is really important at this stage of development. Reward your child when they do something good – especially when you catch them doing it without your prompting. This can be as simple as praising the child’s actions, and doesn’t necessarily have to be a tangible reward.
This is also why sticker charts can be useful disciplinary tools. They work well for simple tasks, like brushing teeth, toilet training, or basic chores. You may be surprised at how well a sticker chart can motivate kids to practice good behaviors!
Lying and Exaggeration
Preschoolers have vivid imaginations, and sometimes struggle to tell reality and fantasy apart. But lying and exaggeration are not behaviors that parents should encourage or ignore.
If you believe that your child is stretching the truth, ask them if that’s what really happened or what they wish had happened. Most kids will own up to the fact that they are embellishing the story.
If the behavior persists, stop it in its tracks. Sit the child down and explain that people will not believe what they say if they continue to lie, even when they are telling the truth. Set a precedent in your home by establishing a household rule, and be clear when expressing your expectations. Having a set of written rules for the household – including parents’ duties and responsibilities – can be very helpful.
Whining and Tantrums
Nip this one in the bud immediately. If your preschooler’s whining and tantrums are annoying now, imagine how annoying they’ll be when your child is a teenager!
These are common tactics for kids to test the limits. Be firm and consistent. If “no means no”, then your child must learn that no amount of whining or aggression that can change your mind. Parents need to be a united front, otherwise the child learns which parent to manipulate when they want to get their way.
Even negative attention can encourage children to persist in their behaviors. Ignoring whining is a good strategy, as your child will learn that whining does not work. For aggressive behaviors, however, a more direct approach is needed. Taking away privileges or putting the child in time-out are effective strategies for tantrums.
Redirection
Preschoolers aren’t always in control of their feelings. This is why it’s important to teach children about emotions. Help them to express different feelings – sadness, frustration, envy, etc. – verbally instead of acting out.
Redirection can also prevent a fraught situation from escalating. Step in and lead the child to another activity or behavior – like drawing or playing.