Fostering Positive Behaviors in Children

Parents and caregivers who recognize that behavior has a purpose and is typically influenced by other factors can help children construct the essential skills to communicate more effectively. 

When the going gets tough try these out!

1. Boost Good Behavior - Praise your child for correct behavior. “Catch” them doing the right things.

2. Provide Structure and Consistency - Young children need regular schedules and guidelines. Constancy helps provide a safe and predictable environment. 

3. Gather Data - Keep a log of challenging behaviors. When does the behavior occur? What is the child doing before and after it happens? What is going on in the child’s life when the behavior takes place. If you see a pattern, then you can create strategies to address that behavior. 

4. Change the Setting - Remove the child from the immediate setting so a behavior is reduced or eliminated.

5. Offer Options - Give your child options by offering basic choices. To keep things simple, it’s best to give only two options, such as, “Do you want to wear pants or a dress today?” 

8. Avoid Power Struggles - Try to negotiate with your child. An example could be, “I’ll pick up one toy and then you pick up one toy".