Preventing Behavioral Problems In Children

Behavioral problems in children and teens are often a source of stress for parents, educators and teachers. Even though we don’t experience them directly, we are aware that unwanted and challenging behavior can be a major problem. The good news is that it is possible to prevent and correct behavioral problems in children.

Preventing behavioral problems in children takes time and effort. So dedicating yourself to this task can save you a lot of time in the long run and will also lead to a much happier and healthier family life.

Keys to Prevent Behavioral Problems in Children

Children and teens act for many reasons. Trying to understand what the child wants or what motivates such behavior are important steps in preventing behavior problems.

It is also important to keep track of the circumstances under which the behavioral problems arise in order to know to what extent you can positively reinforce them. While every child has different needs, there are a number of measures you can take that, in general, can help prevent behavioral problems.

Build a healthy relationship

A healthy relationship with the child or teen will motivate them to behave well. Children and young people are more likely to follow the rules and behave well if they feel loved and respected.

To promote a healthy relationship, the adult must give the child a lot of attention. We need to talk to him or her about anything and everything, joking and laughing together. It’s all about paying close attention and listening carefully when the child wants to talk about his or her problems.

You should also do fun things together and involve the child in important decisions. The stronger the relationship with your children, the more motivated they will be not only to listen, but also to follow fair rules.

Rules and consequences

The best rules are rules that are clear and justified. It’s not just about good behavior, it’s also about providing guidelines that serve as references and help children develop self-confidence. Children need to know exactly what is expected of them with these rules.

On the other hand, the consequences of breaking the rules should be well established and explained in advance. In this regard, it is important to know that the consequences should not be accompanied by revenge. Instead, the consequences should lead to positive outcomes.

Teach them appropriate behavior

Sometimes children do not know how to behave in certain situations. So it is important to analyze what happens in a given situation. Is the child nervous?

Does he or she know how to react to a situation that causes stress? Is the situation more than the child could handle? Once the problem has been identified, it is important to teach the child to understand and deal with his or her emotions.

It is also important to teach him or her that there are other ways to behave and that there are other socially acceptable ways to express themselves. In addition, remember that when children understand what they are feeling, they are more likely to behave well.

Provides structure and a schedule

Many misbehaving children improve when they have a clear, orderly routine that is tailored to their needs and abilities. They need time to study, rest, exercise, free time to do what they want and enough time to eat.

They also need a sleep schedule that allows you as a parent to have some free time for yourself. When children have a clear routine and space to connect with and enjoy the company of adults who have earned their trust, it will be easier for them to behave as they should.

Be positive and recognize the good things

When children misbehave, the things they do well are often overlooked. Therefore, we must pay attention to what they do well and confirm this behavior. It will be a way to educate them, give them guidelines and increase their self-esteem.

When they do something right, you should recognize it and reward it. By this we don’t just mean material rewards. A smile, a hug, a kiss followed by verbal confirmation, or even just a kiss, will positively reinforce that particular behavior and give the child an idea of ​​what is acceptable.

Ignore negative behavior

This technique consists of ignoring the behavior you want to eradicate. It will be useful for all cases of inappropriate behavior, even if it works very well for many of them. This is because some instances of inappropriate behavior do require immediate attention.

When we respond to negative behavior, we often reinforce it without wanting to. Remember, when kids misbehave, it’s usually because they want to draw attention. So you have to ignore them, because eventually they get tired of it and stop.

The problem is that the unwanted behavior is likely to worsen once you start using this technique. That’s why it’s important to persevere when you start, even if it doesn’t seem to be working. You should also supplement this technique with further measures (such as teaching alternative behavior).

Limit the use of mobile phones and video games

The misuse of mobile technology and video games can lead to aggressive behavior among young people. It also isolates them from their environment and encourages not only unwanted behavior but addictive behavior in general.

This is a very sensitive issue that should not be left to chance. That is why we must teach children and teenagers to use technology responsibly. In this way, many behavioral problems can be prevented.

The importance of dealing with stress

Many behavioral problems in children are the result of stressful situations. The following can lead to stress in children, among others:

• fatigue
• overstimulation
• excessive duties and responsibilities
• lack of movement
• lack of free time

The stress they perceive in their environment, especially in their parents and teachers, can also cause them stress. In fact, children have fewer behavioral problems when they grow up in a quiet environment, surrounded by adults who know how to control their impulses and manage their emotions.