48. Practicing Using Natural Consequences

 

Practicing is also a good tool for re-occurring problems. For example, the child forgets and runs between rooms when transitioning on a regular basis. Without anger and in a calm voice say, “I see you have forgotten our rule about walking. You had better practice it so you will remember to walk next time.” Then, have the child walk the space back and forth several times. Positively reinforce the correct behavior with words such as, “You are doing an excellent job of walking instead of running.”

 

Tip: Practicing works well for many problem behaviors. Kicking the back of the car seat, yelling, fighting, or forgetting to put on a seatbelt. For car situations, I bring out a chair and tell the child it is a pretend car seat. I then have the child “practice” sitting in the car without kicking. Set a timer for 10 minutes and have the child practice before going on a car ride. If the problem behavior reoccurs, practice again upon returning home and a couple of more times the next day.

 

A child is a curly dimpled lunatic.

 

                                        - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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