Positive Behaviour Management Strategies

 

  • Pay attention to the kind of behaviour you want to continue.

  • Ignore any behaviours which are not destructive, dangerous or harmful to others.

  • Find something legitimately reinforcing and encouraging to say to your child everyday. 

  • Be consistent no matter what!  (Major earthquakes or similar events might be a reason not to be consistent.)

  • Let your child know what your behavioural expectations are and be sure that she understands them.

  • Be careful about what you promise or threaten because you have to carry through even if it punishes you.

  • If your child doesn’t respond to your instructions after the second time you have talked to him, get up and move toward him.  Most of the time, you will quickly get the expected response.

  • Avoid sarcasm, negativity

  • Be neutral emotionally when dealing with inappropriate behaviour.  If you get upset and angry, you are no longer in control.

  • Don’t ask why did you do that, you will probably get a shrug and “I don’t know”.  Instead ask, “what do you think you should have done or how could you do that better?”.

  • Separate the behaviour from the child.  “I like you, but not the way you behave.”

  • Be fair, yet firm

  • Reward and remark about good behaviour frequently.  “I like the way you are sitting quietly and working so hard.”

  • Be a good model.  They will do what you do a lot faster than what you tell them to do.

  • If you have to reprimand your child about anything, it is important to use the next possible time to give him some kind of positive reinforcement.

  • Respond immediately to behaviours whether they are good or bad.

  • Whenever possible, give children choices.  You choose two things which are appropriate and let them decide between them.

  • Your children should know and understand consequences for good or inappropriate behaviour.