Parenting Tip: Set clear expectations

May 5, 2009

Set clear expectations for your child’s behaviour, and explain why you want them to behave that way.

By the age of one or two most children can understand more words than they can say. That means they can start to learn from the explanations you give them.

All of us can think of times when we have gained someone’s co-operation by providing them with an explanation.

Managing children’s behaviour is no different.  Explanations tell children what, why, or how.  Be clear about what you want your children to do—and what you don’t want them to do.

Explain to your child how their behaviour affects others, or why you want a request to be followed.

Reflect on a recent incident with your child, and what you said to them. Did you give a clear explanation? Did your child understand?  Did you behave in a way that maintained a warm relationship between the two of you?

Thanks to Plunket for today’s tip!

Do you have a tip you’d like to share? Please let us know below.

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