Managing Behaviour

Managing Behaviour

Managing your child’s behaviour is crucial so they can navigate, and problem solve through a diverse range of situations. Your child is only just developing skills and strategies to implement and will require ongoing support to ensure they are able to manage their feelings and emotions appropriately.

Self-regulation is embedded in these problem-solving situations, which may occur in many diverse situations. These include the playground, classroom, play dates, the sports ground, at home, at a friend’s house, shopping and in negotiation with rules and instructions when playing board games.

Being able to find an appropriate ‘tool’ to utilise takes time, repetition and positive role models from parents, peers, and carers.

Some children find the negotiation process easy, whereas others may need explicit teaching to give them strategies they can adapt to different situations.

In social situations with other families, you may come to crossroads, as other parents may not manage behaviour as you do.

Observing and taking note of the way other families work can be overwhelming, particularly if their parenting style is different to yours. You may observe inappropriate behaviour, but the parent may not intervene or feel its necessary to become involved.

Consistency is the key here, where the child is aware of the consequences if they hurt others or behave inappropriately.

It is important to explicitly teach your child about behaviour in a wide range of situations. There will be different rules depending on where you are and what you are doing. A doctor’s surgery, a party, visiting friends or being at a concert, all require different rules when participating or being a visitor. Clear, concise boundaries will help your child to learn how to manage in different scenarios.

Estelle offers an advisory service to help parents navigate through this process by giving families strategies and resources to support implementing a positive behaviour plan.