How to Change a Child's Attitude Instantly and Effortlessly
When a child breaks into a panic or tirade, turning him off suddenly becomes the most important priority. When the child is a baby or young enough to gather up into your arms, the course of action is obvious. But once a child is old enough for her language brain to be dominant, you need a strategy to change her behavior—other than physical or violent intervention.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Check your own emotions first. Take an inventory of how you feel, what you are thinking and what your reactions are. This must happen instantaneously, yet you must be deliberate about it. You cannot influence your child (or anyone) to reverse his behavior if you are not in control of yourself.
-
2
Focus your thoughts on a positive subject. Completely replace any negative thinking with positive ideas—even one as simple as being grateful to be alive.
-
-
3
Speak steadily, in a calm and soft voice. Speak slowly and distinctly. Say words to the child that are positive, reassuring, complimentary, caring and loving.
-
4
Redirect your child’s thinking to something positive as quickly as possible. Sometimes showing him a favorite toy will distract him from his thoughts. Whatever you use is irrelevant—the point is to distract him. But make it pleasant and positive.
-
5
Quickly engage your child in a positive activity. If you can get him to do something positive, you will almost immediately influence his feelings to follow suit. Implore him to help you in some small way.
-
6
Encourage your child to continue performing small, positive acts. Induce him to comment on these acts, making sure any conversation remains upbeat. Move him away from the location he was in and the activity he was engaged in when the attitude shift became necessary.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Positive thoughts and words are important to feeling good, but the most powerful factor is a positive action.
Thinking, saying or doing something negative will cause negative feelings, which is what caused the behavior in the first place.
