Practical Suggestions to Understand and Prevent Misbehavior in Children

I have read some excellent article on parenting and some useful tips by  ,Dr Ajith D' Souza
Principal, Mahesh PU College , Karnataka, India (Hassan Area, India) hope you will also like and benefit from it. here it is..


Practical Suggestions to Understand and Prevent Misbehavior in Children

By Prof Ajith D'Souza & Prof Renita D'Souza

Effective parenting is often challenged by misbehavior of children. Understanding why children misbehave is important to respond effectively. 

Children misbehave when they:

•     are sleepy, sick, need fresh air, exercise and food,

•     are puzzled or unsure about what is expected of them,

•     need attention and love, or need to feel secure,

•     want to fulfill their curiosity,

•     are not physically and mentally ready or able to follow the rules,

•     are bored,

•     are angry, disappointed and frustrated, and

•    want to assert independence.

Strategies and techniques to prevent a child's misbehavior are as under:

•     Set rules that are age-appropriate, then help the child to understand the rule and why it is important


Suggestions for Positive Parenting

Positive parenting is the loving and supportive care provided by both parents. The parenting role has shifting its paradigm from fear-based to love-based. Positive parenting also can be termed 'conscious parenting', or always seeking the betterment of children in the long run. To achieve the goal of treating or rearing children in a way so that today's children can be tomor­row's healthy and successful adults, key issues involved are as follows:

—     The happiness and harmony between father and mother are important prerequisites for a physically fit and mentally happy child.

—    Maintaining harmony between parents and children is essential for positive parenting.

—     Children should be allowed to explore and do things themselves to enhance their self-esteem, so that they might experience a happy, gratifying, and purposeful life.

—     The parents' own behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and values affect greatly the child's development. Hence, parents need to recognize their own belief system and how it can impact on the lives of their children. Further, they should attempt to keep in tune with the changing times.

—    Children need unconditional love and support from their parents for healthy development. Rationalizing, reasoning, giving adequate time, and answering questions are essential on the part of parents. These childrearing practices promote the same future behaviors in their children.

—    Support children emotionally at times when they need it most, so that they do not feel let down or alone. It seems likely that a child who feels emotionally isolated senses a breach of faith and trust on the part of the parents.

—    Accept each child as an individual with his or her unique gifts and talents. Each child is different; hence comparison with others is unwarranted.

—    Positive requests to children, without forcing them to do something, work wonders.

—    Showing positive feelings and appreciation for even the small work done by the child will encourage the devel­opment of confidence and a secure self-concept (i.e., "I feel good about myself and about my abilities").

—    Listen carefully to your children and provide support and guidance.

—    The relationship of parents with other members of family, relatives, and neighbors affects the general environment to which children are exposed.

—    Parent education, in terms of learning and practicing good parenting skills to rear and manage today's children, is essential. Modern-day children are more world-wise, having been exposed to many more situations than their parents, which may lead to a feeling of incompetence and helplessness on the part of the parents to manage their children.

Complete article can be read at role-of-parents-in-upbringing-children