6 Tips to Encourage Positive Behavior in Children

Encouraging a child’s positive behavior often starts at home with you as their primary guide and mentor. The constructive and positive approach used in shaping your kids’ behavior is a great approach as it comes from a place of love and respect. It focuses on the positives rather than applying consequences when mistakes are made. 

If you are looking to implement this approach at home, here are six tips that can encourage positive behavior in kids.

• Be your Child’s Role Model

If there’s one person whom your child looks up to the most, it’s you. Kids often observe their parents as models for their own behavior, regardless if what they’re seeing is good or bad. Teaching your child to say “please” and “sorry” is easy when you practice saying it yourself in the proper circumstances. Refraining from raising your voice when you are upset teaches your kids to do the same. 

It’s not enough to tell them what to do and what not to do. This is why we have to be mindful of both our words and our actions. As a parent, you are a huge influence on your child’s behavior and development. The positive behaviors that you want to see in them must first come from you.    

• Praise their Good Deeds and Accomplishments

Be generous in giving positive feedback in reaction to your child’s good deeds and accomplishments, no matter how big or small. When you see your child doing things that you want them to keep doing, acknowledge the action and let them know that you are pleased. If you see that your child makes their own bed after waking up, go right ahead and praise the good deed. Your child will then make a habit of doing it rather than waiting for you to instruct them to. 

Children are encouraged to maintain positive behavior when they get your attention and know that you appreciate what they have done. Find something to praise them for every day! Words are free and they can go a long way. 

• Take a Moment to Listen

If children are to choose between receiving no attention and negative attention, they’d often choose the latter just to get you to pay attention to them. Taking a moment to listen to your child can bring you closer together and it encourages open conversation. Children want to feel your presence and they want you to be the solid foundation that they can trust and lean on. Make them feel heard by acknowledging their frustrations. Validate their feelings and empathize when necessary. Doing this can calm feelings of frustration, which typically lead to negative behavior. 

• Fulfill your Promises

Make it a point to establish trust and respect within your parent-child relationship. This stems from following through with your promises, whether it be a reward or a consequence. Being firm and consistent in fulfilling your promises builds trust and confidence in you. It’s also a good way to enforce long-term positive discipline and positive behavior.

• Tweak your Environment

Your child’s environment can be an influence on how they behave. If your child is not behaving the way that you expect them to, you may want to look at the environment that they’re in. You can encourage positive behavior by changing up the environment they’re in, making it more child-friendly and comfortable. 

It’s normal for kids to sometimes be overwhelmed by their surroundings. If there are expensive furnishings and breakable items around the house, try moving them to a safer spot in order to prevent accidental damage. Also, consider providing a child-proof space for your children where they can safely play and explore stimulating activities, such as reading their favorite books, looking at educational posters, and playing with toys. When you’re outside, you may also want to find a playground where they can play freely and interact with other children. You can also find fun family activities that you and your children can enjoy together. 

• Be Firm and Give Simple, Positive Instructions

One reason why your child may refuse to acknowledge your instructions is because there’s too much information and they can’t keep up. Children can become easily overwhelmed when there is too much information, so it’s best to keep your instructions clear and concise. This way, your child can quickly comprehend what is expected of them. You can also change up the way that you request for them to do something by starting with “Can you please….”, instead of harshly giving them  a command. They will likely be delighted to respond to your requests when you phrase them in an open manner, giving them the free will to cooperate. You can encourage positive behavior by phrasing requests in a respectful, yet firm manner.

At ABC Academy, we are committed to providing the best child care, while encouraging positive behavior in your kids. Contact us to learn more about our programs! Give your child the best holistic learning experience possible!!