No child is immune to behavioral mishaps---whether the offense is biting, kicking, screaming or launching peas across the dinner table. If you work with children or have young siblings or offspring of your own, you'll inevitably encounter situations where children act inappropriately and behavioral correction is necessary. Children often need guidance when learning which actions are acceptable and which are not. By understanding the most effective ways of dealing with bad behavior, you can help children learn proper conduct, to make smarter choices and avoid transgressions in the future.
Step 1
Assess whether the behavior is truly inappropriate for the child's age and developmental phase. Although some childhood behaviors can be annoying or frustrating for adults, they may be normal for a particular stage of growth. Regressive behavior like "baby talk" and perceived self-centeredness are normal under some circumstances; most children will naturally abandon such behaviors over time.
Step 2
Determine whether the behavior warrants direct action or is better left ignored. According to an article published in the January 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, inappropriate attempts to gain attention---such as temper tantrums and whining---are best remedied by turning a deaf ear; feeding the situation with more attention will only encourage the child to continue acting up. If the situation doesn't require discipline from an adult, ignore the behavior until the child ceases.
Step 3
Explain to the misbehaving child why his behavior is inappropriate, and remind him of any rules he is breaking. Imposing discipline may be less effective if a child doesn't understand the reasons behind the punishment.
Step 4
Choose a reasonable and age-appropriate disciplinary measure. According to FamilyDoctor.org, time-outs can help correct aggressive or dangerous behavior in younger children; for older children, temporarily removing a privilege such as television watching can help curb bad behavior through negative reinforcement. Other options for discipline include assigning additional chores, taking away allowance for one week and restricting video game or computer use.
Step 5
Address bad behavior at the time it occurs rather than waiting until later. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, disciplinary actions will be most effective when they're immediate.
Step 6
Reinforce good behavior. As William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN explain, providing praise and rewards for good behavior encourages children to act in positive ways instead of engaging in less appropriate behavior. When you notice a child behaving well, verbally compliment her actions or offer a reward related to the specific behavior. This allows the child to see the consequences of good choices instead of only witnessing punishment and criticism for misconduct.
Step 7
Model positive behavior by remaining calm, demonstrating maturity and avoiding any actions a child would receive punishment for---such as yelling or swearing. Children learn by example, and it will be difficult to correct their behavior if you break the same rules you want them to follow.
Tips and Warnings
- When correcting inappropriate actions or enforcing punishment, criticize the child's behavior---not the child.
- Avoid bribing children or conditioning them to expect compensation for every positive action. Rewards should not be their only motivation for behaving well. Physical punishment, such as spanking, is not an effective long-term solution for bad behavior and may cause children to act more aggressively in the future.
