Managing Childrens Behavior - Report Example

Managing Children’s Behavior Name: Institution: Course: Date: Introduction In the past two decades, the economic situation in the country has worsened. Many parents are spending a lot of their time in their places of work in order to try and support their families. At the same time, the social lives of the children have been affected greatly after the entry of the internet and social media. Initially, the children used to play with each other, an aspect that played a significant role in their growth and development. However, this aspect has changed significantly because they can be able to interact with their friends and family members at the comfort of their homes. However, this has been having a major impact on their growth and development. The reason is that the use of internet and social media to interact with friends and family members cannot replace face-to-face interaction (Rogers, 2004). Currently, many children are ending up suffering from stress and stress-related diseases because they cannot express themselves to their close friends and family members. This paper will therefore, discuss in details ways of managing children’s behavior. Justification of the Study Many parents have been held in their places of work. Majority of them are not aware of the behaviors of their children. However, with the entry of social media and internet, it has become critical to monitor the behaviors of the child because they can be influenced easily by the virtual friends. Therefore, this study will analyze ways to manage children’s behaviors by the parents despite their tight schedules. In-depth Analysis and Reflection Children behaviors can be managed through close relationship and communication. Children require protection and someone they can share with. Research indicates that children whose parents spend less time with them are likely to seek the attention of their peers. As a result, they are likely to indulge themselves in negative behaviors in an attempt to seek attention. In such a case, a parent can manage the behavior of the children by creating quality time to discuss and share with them any issue that might be affecting them either at home or in school (Rogers, 2004). Through this form of communication, the parent will be in an ideal position to deal with any negative behaviors before they get out of hand. The child’s friends play a critical role in determining the kind of behavior they are likely to adopt. In many cases, parents are so busy, to an extent that they do not have time to observe the behavior of their children. However, research indicates that parents need to observe their children especially when they are with their peers. In addition, in case the parents notice that the group that the children are interacting with have some undesirable vices, the best thing is to intervene and stop the relationship from growing stronger. For instance, in case the group is associated with crime, harassment, and any negative behaviors, it’s critical for the parents to sit down with their sons or daughter and discuss any grievances that might have forced the kids to associate themselves with the group (Rogers, 2004). This will be critical in designing the intervention strategy before the children become loyal to the group. According to Glenn, Helps, & Cousins, (2009), a parent can manage the behavior of a child by either stopping it through ignoring it or punishing it. In many cases, some children might engage in a certain behavior in retaliation for something that the parents did to them. In this case, the parents should way the option and discuss whether it would be ideal to punish the children or use alternative mechanisms to suppress the behavior. For instance, the parents can opt to ignore the behavior, an aspect that would make the children to devise new ways of passing the message to their parents. However, psychologists argue that such interventions can have devastating effects because the children can opt to move to extreme behaviors in order to attract the attention of their parents. Therefore, parents should use this strategy when they find out that all other options could not have positive outcome. On the other hand, parents can manage the behaviors of their children through punishing them. Psychologists have argued against the use of corporal punishment as a way of instilling discipline in children (Riddall-Leech, 2003). The reason is that this method hardens the children, an aspect that makes it hard for them to change their behaviors. However, they argue that parents can achieve their objectives by denying the children what they like most. For instance, the parents can deny them a new dress, cancel their holiday after the child misbehaves, etc. Through such strategies, it would be easy for the child to change in order not to lose more from their parents. Research indicates that such strategies have worked very well when the children have not gone to the extremes (Hunter, 2014). The reason is that in such cases, the parents might be forced to seek external help from counselors or close relatives in order to change the behavior of the child. Parents can manage a negative behavior by a child through introducing a new behavior that they prefer and reinforce it through rewarding the child. For instance, in case the child has an aggressive behavior, the parents can encourage the child to be speaking out before reacting with anger. Therefore, any time the child upholds this behavior, the parents should reward the child (Hunter, 2014). This would encourage the child to uphold the new behavior and shun the aggressive behavior. This has been outlined as one of the most effective strategy of managing behaviors in children. Development knowledge is critical in managing child’s behavior. Many parents have left the duty of bringing up the children to teachers and house helps. However, this has a devastating effect on the growth and development of the child. Currently, children have access to a lot of information, some of which might lead to negative behavior such as engaging in sex at very young age, crime, smoking, etc. The reason is that such behaviors are rewarded in movies and video games. For instance, in video games, aggressive behavior is rewarding. Therefore, its critical for the parents to learn the developmental stages and what to look for during all these stages (Hunter, 2014). They should know what the child is actually capable of doing depending on his or her age. Being equipped with this information is critical in enabling the parents to identify any negative behavior that might affect the growth and development of the child. In such a case, they are able to intervene accordingly before the behavior becomes uncontrollable. Positive reinforcement would enable parents and educators to manage children’s behaviors. It’s critical to appreciate positive behavior by a child even if he or she was not behaving badly. However, it is important not to use material inducements for good behavior. The reason is that once the material rewards stops being awarded, they are likely to indulge in negative behaviors as a way of forcing the teachers and parents to give those gifts such as toy. In case the parents fail to agree to their demand, they are likely to adopt this behavior as a way of staging a rebellion. The reinforcements should be centered on positive feelings that are mainly associated with self-esteem, accomplishment, and cooperation (Rogers, 2004). Therefore, parents and teachers should instead play games, go to the park or even offer the children with verbal appreciation. This is likely to make the children feel loved, wanted, and appreciated. Children’s behavior can be managed by providing them with consequences of behaving badly. When bringing up children, it’s significant to design the rules that must be followed and the consequences of failing to comply should be outlined. However, they should be realistic, easy to fall, and they must teach children something positive. The parents or teachers should start with time-limited consequences and slowly intensify the consequences based on the age of the children and their mental strength. However, they should be cautious not to strain the children, an aspect that is likely to make them switch off and develop a repelling attitude (Mortimer, 2004). This is likely to make them vulnerable to groups that offers them comfort and care. However, in the end the groups are likely to mislead the child towards other negative behaviors. Some negative behaviors in children arise as a result of harassment or any other negative treatment that was directed to them by their seniors (Glenn, Helps, & Cousins, 2009). For instance, in school setting, a child can develop an aggressive behavior as a result, of being intimidated by the peers. On the other hand, in the modern world of technology, online bullying can contribute to negative behaviors. In such a case, a parent can manage such behaviors through giving time to the child to express himself or herself and ensuring that they spend quality time. This would make the child feel protected and loved, an aspect that would encourage positive behavior in the child. Conclusion parents and educators have a tough time managing the behaviors of the children. Technology has created a platform for children to interact with their friends without having to meet them physically. In addition, many children have even become very close with their virtual friends. At the end, they become disappointed in case the relationship did not meet their expectations. With these challenges, parents need to spend quality time with their children. In addition, they should develop strategies to manage the behaviors of their children based on situations. However, they need to keep up with the changes in technological sector in order to help their children during the growth and development processes. References Glenn, A., Helps, A., & Cousins, J. (2009). Managing extreme behaviours in the early years. London: Routledge. Hunter, C. (2014). Understanding and Managing Children's Behaviour through Group Work Ages 5'7. Taylor and Francis. Mortimer, H. (2004). Managing children's behaviour. Leamington Spa, Warwickshire: Scholastic. Riddall-Leech, S. (2003). Managing children's behaviour. Oxford: Heinemann Educational. Rogers, B. (2004). How to manage children's challenging behaviour. London: Paul Chapman. Read More