How to Improve a Kid's Patience
Teaching kids patience at an early age makes them better prepared for their future challenges in life. Patience helps them endure through tough situations and make well-thought out decisions at every step of their life. Parents can use games and day-to-day activities to teach kids patience. Above all, modeling patient behavior for your kid is more likely to give you successful results. It does not mean you become a saint, but you can show kids how to handle impatience constructively.
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Instructions
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Use toddlers' playtime to teach them patience. While playing with toys or games such as building blocks, play by turns. Thus if you or his friend puts one block to build a tower, your kid must take the next turn to put his block; this way he has to wait before he gets his chance. Explain these rules to the kid. If he starts getting impatient and rushes his turn, remind him calmly that he has to follow rules; give him a toy to play with or ask him to color pictures as he waits for his turn.
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Take advantage of everyday situations to teach kids patience. For example, if you're busy with your work and your kid pesters you to play with her, don't retort harshly. Explain to her why you can't do what she wants --"Mama is making your favorite fruit salad, baby. I will finish this and then play with you." Be sure to keep your promise and play with her after completing your task. By displaying patience in such situations, you'll be instilling the same behavior in your kid.
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Refuse to give into your kid's demands just because he is crying or becoming temperamental. By giving in, you'll only be encouraging his impatient behavior further. Instead, keep your own emotions in check; calmly but firmly tell your kid that his behavior is unacceptable and that he has to wait to get what he wants.
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Encourage patient behavior with positive reinforcement. Praise your kid whenever he shows patience, be it by waiting for his chance during a game or waiting with you at the grocery check out. Be specific with your praise -- "Chris, you were so patient at the grocery store today. I appreciate it." Recognizing and praising the behavior boosts your kid to practice being patient. An occasional treat as a reward wouldn't hurt either.
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Role model patient behavior. If you're always in a hurry to get your things done and pace through your day-to-day life restlessly, your kid is more likely to imbibe the same. Instead, practice calm and patience yourself in accomplishing your day-to-day tasks.
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Participate in slow-paced activities along with your kid. Watch the sun rise, plant a sapling and watch it grow, or take a long walk on the beach. Such activities teach children to wait and experience every moment rather than rushing through. Games such as chess, which require kids to think thoroughly and proceed in small steps for the ultimate result, also teach patience.
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Tips & Warnings
Narrating stories that teach the moral of patience is another way to teach kids to be patient. Weave your own stories and present them using your kids' toys.
