Modifying children's behavior

Learn the Basic Rules of Children's Behavior Modification

From the very moment our children are born, we begin to imagine them at every stage of their lives, and some questions arise, such as: What will my child's personality be like? How will I deal with them at each stage of their life? Will the early stages be the most difficult to handle or as they grow older? The early stages of a child's life are the most important as they shape their personality and physical development. Therefore, parents must pay attention to learning the basics of dealing with children, building a strong and distinctive personality, as well as their physical and psychological health. There are various educational methods and techniques followed by parents, specialists, and teachers to modify children's behaviors, which vary from one child to another depending on each child's situation in terms of behaviors, age, and environment. In this article, we will learn about the meaning of behavior modification, its steps, the reasons for some incorrect behaviors in children, how to deal with them, and when a child needs behavior modification.

What is Behavior Modification for Children?

Behavior is everything a person says or does, in addition to reactions. Behavior modification for children involves adding desirable behavior, deleting undesirable behavior, shaping new behavior, or adding new skills to the child.

How do you know if your child needs behavior modification?

There are indicators that determine whether some bad behaviors in children need behavior modification or not. These indicators include:

Communication problems:

The child has difficulty expressing their needs correctly.

Difficulty controlling emotions:

Some children struggle to deal with feelings of anger or sadness properly.

Attention and focus difficulties:

The child finds it difficult to pay attention and focus during school activities.

Learning difficulties:

A child who struggles with learning needs specific learning styles that suit them and additional support.

General deterioration:

The child suddenly inclines towards isolation, experiences sleep disturbances, and has difficulties in studying.

What are the reasons for the emergence of some bad behaviors in children?

It is worth noting that knowing the real reason behind bad behavior is the first step in modifying it. Educational and psychological evaluation specialists attribute bad behaviors in children to some of the following reasons: Reaction of the child to a specific situation: A child's exposure to a specific situation, such as bullying or teasing by peers, reflects on their behaviors, which are often characterized by aggressiveness.

Mental illnesses:

Some mental illnesses cause abnormal behaviors in affected children, including: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety disorders. Autism spectrum disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Learning difficulties:

Children who struggle with learning difficulties such as dyslexia may exhibit poor behavior.

Seeking attention:

Some children resort to bad behaviors to attract the attention of others, especially if the child feels neglected by their parents.

Impressing others:

Some children tend to engage in wrong behaviors to impress their friends, especially at school.

Imitating parents:

Some children mimic behaviors exhibited by one of the parents, such as quick anger.

Exposure to painful events:

A child's exposure to a psychologically painful event, such as the loss of a loved one, may cause some bad behaviors such as quick anger or isolation.

Basic rules for modifying children's behavior

There are some rules that are preferred to be followed to help modify children's behavior in a proper educational way, including:

Identify the behavior to be changed:

The first step in behavior modification is to identify the behavior to be modified, understand the reasons that led to it, and develop a plan focusing on modifying this behavior.

Set priorities:

Sometimes a child may commit several bad behaviors, but it is not preferable to change them all at the same time because it exhausts the child and his parents, and this may lead to adverse effects.

Talk to the child:

It is necessary to talk to the child about the behavior to be modified and draw their attention to it each time they engage in this behavior. It is essential to ensure that the child clearly understands what behavior is specifically required of them and how to do it correctly.

Hold the child accountable immediately for their behavior:

The child must be held accountable immediately for their bad behavior to associate the behavior with the punishment, but the reason for the punishment should be explained first. Continuity in behavior modification: Patience and tolerance are necessary because modifying children's behavior is not easy and requires a lot of time and effort. Initially, the child's behavior may worsen, but it gradually improves. Therefore, perseverance and patience are important in the initial stage. Get your child used to correcting their mistakes by themselves: It is preferable for the child to get used to correcting their mistakes by themselves. This reflects on enhancing their self-confidence and self-esteem. Positive reinforcement for correct behavior: Positive reinforcement for correct behavior is the reward given to your child if they behave correctly. The reward may be material, such as some gifts and toys that the child prefers, or moral reward, such as positive encouragement for the child, expressing thanks, and appreciation for their good behavior, and not delaying the reaction because it may lead to the disappearance of the desired behavior again.

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychological Specialist

Psychologist

Psychologist

Psychologist

Psychologist