Shabby Chic Boho Raising confident, well-rounded kids starts with encouraging good behavior early. Children learn by example, so modeling kindness, consistency, and positive habits is key. From choosing the right early learning center to reinforcing healthy behaviors, small efforts make a big impact. Here’s how to set your child up for success!
Choose a Good Early Learning Center
Every parent eventually faces the moment of dropping their child off at daycare, preschool, or an early learning center. While emotional (perhaps more for you than them!), it’s a big step in their development. Preschools build social skills, boost cognitive growth, and lay a strong learning foundation. Choosing the right center helps instill positive habits early, so research well to find the best fit for your child.
Be a Role Model
It’s no secret that a child’s brain can be compared to a sponge – kids absorb an incredible amount of information and learn primarily by example in their initial years. One of the best ways to teach your child good habits is by demonstrating them yourself. If you’d like to raise a little one who says their pleases and thank-yous, make sure to use these phrases when you speak to them. While it’s all too easy to get frustrated with a stubborn toddler, yelling at them when you’re angry will not only make them feel scared but teach them that this sort of behavior is acceptable.
Be Specific
When your child does something worthy of praise, try to avoid using general phrases like “good job” or “well done”. Instead, say something like, “you’ve done a great job putting all of your toys away”. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool, but only when your child fully understands the context – by being clear, they’ll know exactly when a particular behavior is desirable. Additionally, make sure to give clear instructions such as “please shut the door” over “don’t leave the door open”. This guides your child’s behavior in a positive way and allows them to know exactly what you want from them.
Keep Your Promises
If you promise a park trip after homework, follow through. If you warn about leaving due to misbehavior, be ready to go. Keeping promises builds trust, teaches commitment, and reinforces consequences.
Listen to Them
Children have a whole spectrum of emotions but often aren’t equipped with the tools to deal with them. To help your little one feel understood, practice active listening where you nod when your child talks and repeat back what you think they’re feeling. For example, you could say, “it sounds like you’re sad that you lost your favorite toy”. Active listening helps children to process and identify their emotions and provides them with comfort and validation when they’re experiencing big feelings.
Raising kids is no easy task, and can test the patience of even the calmest parent. However, if you remember to praise your child for good behavior, set the standard for acceptable conduct, and provide clear instructions, you’ll be well on your way to raising a polite, well-adjusted tot.
Love these tips, it is so important to lift kids up. I used this while teaching and got so much more out of the children.