When a child has an easy temperament, you are likely to find it much easier to encourage good behavior. However, strong-willed children may fight you on every rule and consistently test limits. It is important to discipline strong-willed children and not ignore bad behavior. If the child is not corrected, she may continue to act out and the behavior could become progressively worse. Speak to your pediatrician if you are concerned about your child's behavior.
Step 1
Designate punishment based on the misbehavior. For instance, if the child is caught skateboarding without a helmet, he should no longer be allowed to skateboard. If he throws a toy, the toy should be taken away from him. He can then logically connect the consequence with the action.
Step 2
Set firm limits. A strong-willed child is likely to continue to test you to see what she can get away with. If she breaks a rule, you should never negotiate the punishment you have set for her.
Step 3
Keep talking to a minimum. A strong-willed child is unlikely to respond to a long lecture on why she should not participate in the particular behavior. Explain in simple terms and in few words why the behavior is unacceptable. Use a firm tone, but avoid raising your voice. The strong-willed child is likely to bait you and try to draw you into an argument. Make it clear that you won't be negotiating with him about the punishment.
Step 4
Place the child in time-out for extreme acts of defiance, such as hitting and screaming. Time-outs are effective for a strong-willed child when they are not overly used. The child should be placed in time-out for the same amount of minutes as his age. For instance, a 5-minute time-out is appropriate for a 5-year-old. Ignore the child during this time and don't make eye contact. Her acting out may be the result of a need for attention, and attention for misbehaving can prove desirable to her.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember to praise your strong-willed child when she is behaving properly. She is likely to respond well to positive reinforcement. You can set up a chart and reward with stickers for incidences of good behavior. After collecting a certain number of stickers, you can give her a small toy or treat.
- Don't spank your strong-willed child as a form of discipline. According to CNNHealth.com, spanking can cause detrimental effects to a child's mental and behavioral development.
