Advice For Kids
With Behavior Problems
All parents sometimes have to deal
with child behavior problems. Young children can develop many behaviors
that may trouble or annoy their parents. From hitting and biting
to interrupting and whining, read on to find out how experts say
to handle the most common child behavior problems.
What To Do If
Your Child Whines
As annoying as whining can be, nearly
all children do it at some time or another. The best way to handle
whining is to ignore it as much as possible. If your child wants
something and whines to get it, simply say, "I can't understand
you when you whine. Use big kid words please." If your child
whines again, ignore him. Giving in to whining just one time can
teach your child that whining is an effective means of getting what
he wants, and then of course, he'll whine even more often. Consistency
is extremely important if you are to eliminate or reduce whining
in your home.
What To Do If
Your Child Won't Eat
Food battles are among the most
common child behavior problems. The best way to handle this problem
is to avoid it in the first place. Experts say that eating habits
begin forming during infancy and it is important for parents to
offer healthy foods consistently and repeatedly. An eating schedule
is also important. Experts say that children who graze all day long
are often lacking in several vitamins and minerals, and may even
be consuming an insufficient number of calories. Most young children
need three meals and two or three snacks each day. Most of all,
they caution against turning eating into a control issue.
What To Do If
Your Kids Won't Listen To You
Young kids often develop selective
hearing. They hear their mothers call them for dinner, but somehow
their ears fail them when it's time to pick up their toys. Experts
advise that rather than calling to children from another room, parents
should go to their children, make eye contact with them, and then
tell them what they want them to do. Kids are much more likely to
follow instructions when parents tell them what is expected of them
and what the results will be if they comply and what will happen
if they don't. If you want your children to pick up their toys,
go to them and say, "You need to take these trucks into your
room. If you don't clean them up, I'm going to pick them up and
keep them in my room for a few days." The children have the
choice to comply or not, but they know what the consequences will
be if they don't.
What To Do If
Your Kids Bite And Kick
Young children sometimes lack the language skills to express feelings
of frustration or anger. When another child takes a toy from them,
they can't say, "Hey, that's mine! Give it back!" That's
where aggressive behavior comes in. Experts say that kids who hit
and bite need to be taught gently that those behaviors are unacceptable.
Parents can take their child's hands and say, "Gentle hands.
We use nice touches with our hands." Parents may use time-outs
to discourage aggressive behavior, but they should never hit or
bite their children as punishment for this behavior.
Help For When
Your Kids Want To Interrupt
Many parents find interrupting to
be one of the most annoying child behavior problems. Kids have a
lot to say and they want to say it now, even when their parents
are on the telephone or trying to talk to one another. Experts say
that young children need to be encouraged to wait, rather than interrupt,
but they can only wait for short periods of time. Developing a hand
signal, such as holding up one finger, can let your child know that
you want to hear what he has to say, but you are busy at that moment
listening to someone else.
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