Make clear what you want. Related links sit on your chair” tells “Please Kids Matter’s: the child what behaviour you want. bouncing around” “Stop Raising Children’s: does not. Do you need to say it more than You may also like to read once? Trust that your child has heard you and will do what you You may also like to read other want. In some cases you will titles in this series: need to give a reminder or to Supporting your child to make follow through by helping your decisions child. (But try to avoid nagging and criticising.) can do it’: Encouraging your ‘I child’s independence Think ahead and reduce the chance for conflict. If friends are Building your child’s resilience coming to play, put your Other related newsletters can be toddler’s favourite toy away and found at have a range of play things available. If you don’t want your toddler to play with the TV remote control, move it! Give your child choices. Begin with choosing between one to three options; be careful not to overwhelm very young children with too much choice. This gives them some control (which they need) and can minimise conflict. If you choose to use reward charts for your older child (between 3 8 years), use – them with care, the consequences of their actions should mean more than stars on a chart. The Raising Children website has an information sheet on how to use star and reward charts. (See related links.) If you do have concerns about your child’s behaviour, always ask your child’s maternal and child health nurse, doctor or educator for advice and support.
Make clear what you want. “Please sit on your chair” tells the child what behaviour you want. “Stop bouncing around” does not. Do you need to say it more than once? Trust that your child has heard you and will do what you want. In some cases you will need to give a reminder or to follow through by helping your child. (But try to avoid nagging and criticising.) Think ahead and reduce the chance for conflict. If friends are coming to play, put your toddler’s favourite toy away and have a range of play things available. If you don’t want your toddler to play with the TV remote control, move it! Give your child choices. Begin with choosing between one to three options; be careful not to overwhelm very young children with too much choice. This gives them some control (which they need) and can minimise conflict. If you choose to use reward charts for your older child (between 3 – 8 years), use them with care, the consequences of their actions should mean more than stars on a chart. The Raising Children website has an information sheet on how to use star and reward charts. (See related links.) If you do have concerns about your child’s behaviour, always ask your child’s maternal and child health nurse, doctor or educator for advice and support. Related links Kids Matter’s: Raising Children’s: You may also like to read You may also like to read other titles in this series: Supporting your child to make decisions ‘I can do it’: Encouraging your child’s independence Building your child’s resilience Other related newsletters can be found at
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