By: Yassmine ElSayed
CAIRO, Dec. 19 (SEE) – In a previous article, ‘SEE’ provided advises by experts on how to raise your kids and how to respond to the most common behavioral problems.
In a recent piece at blog “verywellfamily.com”, Amy Morin, LCSW, provides some key behavioral challenges that you will have to face.
We continue here to list those problems and how to respond to.
6. Whining
Whining can be a bad habit,especially if it helps your kids get what they wants. But it’s important to curb whining before it becomes an even bigger problem.
After all, other kids and your child’s teacher aren’t going to appreciate a whiner.
A good first course of action is ignoring. Show your child that whining won’t get you to change your mind. Give positive attention when they stop whining.
Additionally, teach your child more appropriate ways to deal with uncomfortable emotions, like disappointment. Show them that saying, “I’m sad we can’t go to the playground today,” will get them much better results than repeatedly whining about how unfair it is that you won’t take them to play in a thunderstorm.
7. Impulsive Behavior
While young children tend to be more physically impulsive so it’s not unusual for a 4-year-old to hit. Older children are more likely to be verbally impulsive, meaning they may blurt things out that hurt people’s feelings.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to teach your child impulse control skills. One simple way you can reduce impulsive behavior is by praising your kids each time they think before acting or speaking.
Teach anger management skills and self-discipline skills as well. Gaining control over emotions will help your child feel more in control of her behavior.
8. Bedtime Behavior Problems
Whether your child refuses to stay in bed or insists on sleeping with you, bedtime behavior problems are common. Without appropriate intervention, your child may become sleep-deprived, which could lead to even more problems. A lack of sleep has been linked to increased behavior problems in young children. And, sleep-deprivation can also lead to physical health issues.
Establish some clear bedtime rules and create a healthy bedtime routine. Consistency is key to helping kids establish healthy sleep habits. So even if you have to return your kids to their room a dozen times in an hour, keep doing it. Eventually, your child’s bedtime behavior will improve.
9. Aggression
Your kids’ aggressive behavior might range from throwing a math book when they’re frustrated over their homework to outright punching each other when being mad.
Some kids become aggressive because they don’t know how to handle their feelings in a socially appropriate way. Others are perfectionists who meltdown every time things don’t go the way they planned.
Aggressive behavior is normal for toddlers and preschoolers. But, aggression should be decreasing over time as your child gains new skills.
Give your child an immediate consequence for any act of aggression. Take away a privilege and use restitution to help your kids make amends if they’ve hurt someone. If his aggression doesn’t get better over time, seek professional help.
10. Temper Tantrums
Temper tantrums are most common in toddlers and preschoolers but they can extend into grade school if they aren’t addressed swiftly.
Ignoring can be one of the best ways to handle tantrums. Teach your kids that stomping, screaming, or throwing themselves to the floor won’t get them what they want. It’s also important to show better and more effective ways to get their needs met.
If behavior problems aren’t responding to your discipline strategies, or your child’s behavior has started disrupting his education and his peer relationships, talk to your pediatrician. You’ll want to rule out any underlying developmental issues, learning disabilities, or medical conditions.