How to Encourage Good Behavior in Children

Sometimes it is hard for parents to remember that discipline is about encouraging good behavior through logical punishment. It is easy to get frustrated when your child does not exhibit the behavior you would prefer. Keeping your cool and following these steps can help your child reveal his good side.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Set clear boundaries for your child and let him know ahead of time what is expected of him.
2. Stay calm, firm and consistent when disciplining and setting boundaries.
3. Remember that each child has different temperaments and developmental styles. Some children respond well to verbal praise while others respond better to rewards like stickers or extra time on the computer.
4. Locate factors that may prevent good behavior like jealousy, stress or learning and behavioral disorders. Try to remove what causes these factors or seek professional help to cope with them.
5. Praise good behavior by providing positive reinforcement. Most children want to receive praise. If they know you will praise their good behavior, then they are more likely to follow the boundaries set for them.
6. Offer rewards or incentives when you see your child exhibiting good behavior.
7. Teach your child about the natural and logical consequences of her actions. Natural consequences are like cause and effect such as if you play rough with a toy it will break. Logical consequences are based on wrong choices such as when you take away her toys because she wouldn't put them away.

Tips & Warnings

• If you know your child has trouble with certain locations like going to the grocery store, then plan ahead. Get him involved by giving him his own list of items to find. Or if he hates putting away his toys, then make a game out of it by having a race to see who can put them away the fastest.
• Remember that disciplining and punishing a child for inappropriate actions is an important part of parenting. Parents must teach children to think for themselves, make good decisions, recognize right from wrong, respect other people and exhibit appropriate behavior.
• Correct your child's poor behavior without criticizing or belittling her as a person.
• In most cases, good behavior is caught not taught. You must lead by example in showing good behaviors of your own.
• Do not use bribes. Bribes are giving a child a treat in advance and hoping they will show good behavior.
• Do not expect perfection. Your child is in a learning process and needs your help to know how to show good behaviors.