The key to discipline is simple - teach your child how to control their own behavior, and then you don't have to. When you make your expectations clear to toddlers, they begin to expect the same of themselves. The good news is that teaching self-discipline to a young child sounds scarier than it actually is. If you focus on the essentials from the age of two, your child will pick up on your desires quickly. Here are four simple rules to help you raise a child who can keep their own behavior in check.
Set clear rules and expect respect
Children who think they can do whatever they want are prone to whining and tantrums when their demands are not met. Children who understand that there are clearly defined boundaries learn to self-regulate and respect the limitations.
Teach them problem-solving skills
One of the main reasons children misbehave is because they feel frustrated and powerless. When you cultivate the skills in children to understand things on their own, they behave better. In this way, your children will not scream and call for help every time they encounter a problem.
Emphasize empathy
How many times have you had to play the role of a judge in situations where your preschooler took a toy from a friend or refused to share with his sister? Children are born believing that the world revolves around them. Therefore, the sooner you help them understand that everyone has feelings and emotions, the less likely they are to behave in ways that annoy or hurt other people.
Teach them patience
Nobody likes to wait, especially small children. It is difficult for them mentally and psychologically, since children survive by declaring their needs to everyone at once. Therefore, it is important for parents to teach their baby patience from an early age. Children need to develop resistance to feelings of irritation, which are often unpleasant. Then they will not misbehave or act impulsively when faced with this feeling in the future.
You are not teaching your children to discipline themselves overnight. There will no doubt be times when children misbehave no matter what you do. They are children, after all. But if you continue to focus on the above, then sooner or later these lessons will show results. Then your well-mannered child will need less and less intervention from you.
