There are many reasons why a child may misbehave. Bad behavior can be a result of a child's age or developmental stage. Or there may be underlying issues that are the cause. Although a misbehaving child can be frustrating, parents can alleviate some stress by learning how to prevent behavioral issues.
Causes
Although there are many causes for bad behavior in children, the KidsHealth website says that behavior problems sometimes occur as kids grow up. Children begin to try out different roles and personality traits. It is a way of discovering who they are. Children's opinions and desires become stronger, resulting in rebellion against a parent's control. Bad behavior may also be the way a child is expressing his emotion or frustration at a situation. Dr. Phil McGraw explains that bad behavior is a form of communication.
Reward Good Behavior
One way to prevent bad behavior is to encourage good behavior. The FamilyDoctor website explains that children should be rewarded for good behavior. Rewards can include a snack, extra story or a parent can even create a chart in which to track points earned for a special activity or toy. Another prevention method is to compile a small list of rules to review with children. Do not overreact to situations, and be consistent with rewards and punishments.
Ignoring Bad Behavior & Timeouts
The FamilyDoctor website suggests ignoring bad behavior. Because a child may use bad behavior as a way to get attention, she may stop misbehaving when she does not receive attention from it. Parents may also choose to punish bad behavior. There are many methods of punishment, but many parents chose to use a timeout method. To be effective, a parent must decide what situations constitute a timeout. Be safe, consistent and fair with punishments.
Physical Punishment
Parents should refrain from resorting to physical punishment. Spanking and other forms of physical punishment only stop the misbehavior temporarily. It does not teach a child how to adjust his bad behavior, making him more likely to misbehave again. Because children learn by example, the FamilyDoctor website warns that physical punishment teaches children that violence is OK. Physical punishment is also dangerous because it may morph into child abuse.
Increasing Problems
All parents should expect some form of misbehavior in children. However, drastic changes in a child's behavior may be a sign of serious trouble. The KidsHealth website suggests watching out for drug or alcohol use, sudden poor grades, jokes or talk about suicide and changes in friendships. If bad behavior lasts longer than six consecutive weeks and parental involvement doesn't help, a child may need the guidance of a counselor or psychologist.
