RSS
Home
Tips for teaching self-control
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Children are not born with self-control. Actually, they are born with the opposite - strong impulses and the inability to accurately predict consequences. Parents and teachers can help children acquire greater self control. Instead of lectures, yelling or punishment, the best strategies often involve play. Family Communications Inc., the Pittsburgh-based corporation behind Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, has outstanding resources.
Family Communications Inc. has an excellent handout for parents on "Rules and Discipline" which includes the following ingenious strategies for teaching children to learn "to stop". Your child can practice how to stop in play and develop skills that will help her in countless other situations.
Red light, Green Light: Put on some music and have your child stop when the music stops. Take turns and let your child stop the music while you stop your actions.
Dot-to-Dot Designs: Connecting dots to make a picture can help your child develop self-control. They have to control the way the pencil goes and follow the order of the numbers.
Play Roads: Draw a road on a large piece of paper and let your child use toy cars. See if he or she can stay on the line you have drawn. If this is too hard, use a double line and see if your child can stay between the lines as he or she moves the car.
Of course, children don't have to "live between the lines" all the time. But keep in mind that games and following directions teach essential skills. Patience and postponed gratification make your child happier in the long run.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
1.JPG)
