Behaviour Management
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Children's behaviour affects our everyday lives and in some cases where we go and what we decide to do!
It's essential you are able to confidently manage your child's behaviour, both at home and when out and about. An important element in early behaviour management is keeping your child busy and focused. Offering suitable home learning activities can significantly improve behaviour, by keeping your child engaged and focused on achievable tasks.
There are a variety of strategies to consider depending on the personality and behaviour displayed by your child.
All children are individuals and it is important to carefully consider which strategy is most appropriate and works best for your child.
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Reward charts, sometimes referred to as star charts, or sticker charts, are an ideal way to promote and encourage good behaviour. They are readily available to download or buy online. However, it is important to consider how reward systems are used if they are to be successful.
Reward charts offer...
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An instant response to encourage good behaviour.
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Encourage individual children and subsequently others to repeat desired behaviours.
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Contribute to the development of your child's self-esteem
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Can have a positive effect on both social and academic achievements.
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Build strong relationships between parent and child, where your child wants to do the right thing and is eager to please.
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A simple way to promote positive behaviour as are widely available.
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Parental choice, as to usage, and whether you may acknowledge a milestone of stickers through a special reward.
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Motivation for your child to repeat the desired good behaviour, which earned them the sticker, and then subsequently a desired reward.
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Involvement of all adults at home, in a collecttive effort so improve your child's behaviour.
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When using Reward Charts remember...
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Once your child has been rewarded with a sticker for a positive action never then take this away for negative behaviour which may follow.
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Always focus on reinforcing the positive actions and behaviour your child displays. By doing, so your child will learn what is appropriate and what is not.
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Display your child's reward chart in an accessible place, perhaps on your child's bedroom door, where both you and your child can discuss the positive behaviour, and use it as an incentive when problem behaviour is displayed.
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To ensure the reward chart is at the child's height so your child can be fully involved with selecting stickers.
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Easily accessible reward charts are more likely to be used on a regular basis.
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Choose sticker charts and stickers which appeal to your child's interests, such as a favourite cartoon character or story book character.
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Sticker charts are often used to promote positive behaviour, but can also act as rewards for concentration and effort in other tasks and activities.
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Overuse of sticker charts, as with any other reward scheme, can lead to the child not valuing the reward. To avoid this, it is vital both parents decide on how often and when to award stickers.
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Praise and Self-Esteem
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Most children respond well to praise and encouragement. If you praise your child when they behave well, they are more likely to repeat this behaviour. When praise is used effectively it builds your child's self-esteem and helps your child develop a positive self-image.
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How to use praise to promote positive behaviour
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Seize opportunities to catch your child being good! For example, if your child is kind to a sibling and they receive praise for their actions, they are more likely to repeat this action again.
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If your child behaves in a way which is unacceptable, ignore the behaviour and concentrate on a positive action. In most cases the child is unlikely to repeat the inappropriate behaviour.
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By focusing on your child's positive behaviour and ignoring negative actions they will learn that when behaving properly they experience positive language and praise.
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In some cases where the inappropriate behaviour is severe, or could have consequences for others or themselves, ignoring the unacceptable behaviour may not be an option. In such circumstances, sit with your child and talk through their behaviour and why they behaved in this way.
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Ensure you explain that it is your child's behaviour that has made you upset and unhappy and not them.
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Always separate the behaviour from the child, so they know you still love and care for them but disapprove of their actions. This is important to your child's self-esteem and confidence.
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Take time to listen to your child and explain why such behaviour is inappropriate.
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After discussing the inappropriate behaviour with your child, try and praise them for something positive, soon afterwards.
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Try to keep your child in a positive state of mind and not to be overly negative even when telling a child off. ​
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