Preschoolers (3-5-year-old children) are known for their impulsivity and naughtiness. This usually happens because these children don’t know how to control their urges, basically having no self-control or self-restraint. However, this doesn’t have to be the case!
Studies say preschoolers can be taught to regulate themselves, and this actually helps in their overall development. Compared to their peers who struggle with self-control, preschoolers who display self-regulatory behaviors go on to achieve greater academic performance and are more likely to abstain from dangerous behavior in adolescence.
Help The Children Understand Their Emotions
Kids are often going through a wide range of emotions due to the constant exposure to new and novel information and trying to make sense of it. They don’t understand their emotions fully and often resolve to tantrums. However, they can be taught to identify their emotions which would help in self-awareness in the long run.
For example, you can take different jars and label them with different emotions. You can then tell the child to drop a token in the jar with the emotion they are feeling every time they experience a change of emotions. This will result in them stopping and thinking about what they are feeling exactly, which will help them inculcate self-control.
Form a Routine
Even though young toddlers can’t determine the time, they do get used to the pace of a regular schedule. They subconsciously become aware that this is the time to sleep or eat if the same timings are followed every day. This results in less impulsive behaviors and higher self-restraint. Having enough sleep is also extremely important for children and can result in a wide range of positive behaviors.
Inculcating Empathy
Empathy is more related to self-control than it might seem. It is important for children to learn to empathize with others. Early conversations that foster empathy can be along the lines of: “How did you think your friend felt when you did not share your toys with him?”
By regularly setting clear expectations for sharing and assisting others, modeling those behaviors, and providing each child with individualized, positive attention, you can help young children develop prosocial habits. Insist on the idea that helping others makes us joyful and that they feel the same way.
Offer Substitutes and Choices
Tantrums can occur from dissatisfaction brought on by a lack of options. If you give the kid ample options, they’ll feel more in charge, which will help in building self-control. This also helps to cope with disappointments and adjust to available options or substitutes. Try to delay the child’s enjoyment using the same reasoning. Giving the youngster exactly what they want right away is not a good idea; instead, let them know when they can have it with a good explanation.
For example, they demand a very expensive toy. You can explain to them politely that the toy is very expensive and they can choose a cheaper alternative.
Play Games
You’d be surprised to know that some games actually help build self-control, and they are fun as well! For example, games like Jenga and Simon Says require patience and careful movements and decisions that inculcate self-restraint. More physically demanding games like Red Light, Green Light, and Freeze, in which kids dance to the music and freeze when it stops, call for self-control from the players. Children can take control of their bodies, voices, and thoughts through a number of games and activities, all while believing that they are just having fun.
Positive Reinforcements
Children learn a lot from reward systems. Try to reward your child every time they display an act of self-control. These affirmations and incentives might serve as motivators and nudge your kid to exercise restraint. This eventually ingrains itself into their character.
For example, every time your kid shares their toys with other kids, reward them with extra playtime.
Keep Reminding Kids
It’s difficult to follow the plan, and small children have a harder time following our instructions. They are prone to distraction. Therefore, it’s beneficial to reaffirm our expectations to young children. Keep reminding kids regarding when, where, and how to practice self-control.
Set an Example
Children learn most of their behaviors from observations and modeling their parents and teachers. It is important that you practice self-control in front of your children without explicitly telling them that you are indulging in self-control behavior. Children start imitating these behaviors subconsciously.
For example, you choose a fruit snack over chips in front of your kid, so the kid learns to choose healthier eating options without having to force them.
Conclusion
There are many ways in which children can be taught self-control, and it doesn’t even require scolding! These techniques not only inculcate self-control but also ensure overall positive self-growth of children that will help them even in their adulthood!