5 Positive Parenting Techniques for Young Children

When dealing with young children, consistency is the key. Especially when it comes to discipline, getting your child to understand your expectations becomes a lot easier if you are consistent. For example, when your child exhibits bad behavior towards other children - including biting, pushing or grabbing - you can first let them know verbally that they are wrong and then show them by removing them from the situation completely if it continues. Don't enable bad social behavior by letting it slide.

That being said pay more attention to good behavior than you do to the negative. What any child wants most at a young age is attention, and they will do or behave however they see fit in order to get it. As such, it is perfectly acceptable to ignore certain actions and therefore show your young one that they won't get a reaction from you that way. You can use this method when it comes to throwing a tantrum or excessive whining. Once your child realizes that these methods of communication bring no result, he or she will begin to find other, better ways of asking for what they want.

Redirection is a great way of avoiding or diffusing a tantrum. Instead of telling your child "no" all the time, try finding alternatives to offer and redirect their attention in a positive way. Turn misbehavior into better behavior by inventing games that show children how to do something differently. For example, to avoid a scene with a tantrum at the supermarket, enlist your child's help to find items on the grocery list before you do.

Click Here To Get 20 Ultimate Parenting Tips For Today’s Families

Always observe your own behavior before taking it out on your child. Children often behave in a manner similar to their environment, so if you tend to shout or even hit, you can expect that your child will see this as acceptable and do the same. Be sure to control yourself before you try to control them; you are, after all, their primary source of knowledge.

Set aside time every day to do something one-on-one with your child, giving your undivided attention. That time, which could be spent reading, playing outdoors or building a puzzle, will help form a closer bond and better communication between the two of you, while enhancing other skills. Reinforcing the idea that your little one can trust you and talk to you now will help when they need someone to turn to at any time later on, and you would prefer if that person were you.