| How many times a day do your children hear the | | | | is also a great idea. |
| words NO! or DON'T! Have you found yourself telling | | | | With busy activity time comes quiet time too, so show |
| them that they CAN'T do something? When you | | | | the contrast by rewarding positive physical fun with a |
| continually focus on what your children are not to be | | | | calming snuggle time, reading a book or watching a |
| doing you may find they are doing it more often. The | | | | favourite show. |
| number one solution is to tell your children what they | | | | The third solution is a scheduled family meeting time |
| can do and channel the destructive active behaviour | | | | each week where you focus on your family. This |
| into constructive positive behaviour. | | | | allows your children a time together as a family, and |
| When speaking positively to your children it may sound | | | | when parents are consistent in holding meetings each |
| like this; ‘you need to use your inside voice', or | | | | week children begin to expect this family time and |
| ‘lets go outside and use our outside voices and | | | | settle into the routine of them. |
| actions', or ‘feet stay on the floor', and ‘chairs | | | | As you create an environment of love and gratitude |
| are for sitting on'. When you remove that negative | | | | as a family you can easily discuss all areas of your |
| limiting word ‘can't' out of your vocabulary you will | | | | family life such as appropriate behaviour in the home. |
| be encouraging your children to experience things they | | | | You can explain that when balls or other toys are |
| can do, helping them to learn and grow and be all that | | | | thrown in the house Mommy's lamps may get broken |
| they can be. Take the time to stop yourself when you | | | | and how do you think Mommy will feel if that happens. |
| want to say no, don't or can't and ask your children | | | | How would you feel if Mom or Dad came into your |
| what they can do instead, at first you may have to | | | | room and accidently stepped on one of your toys and |
| give them some choices. This takes practice but once | | | | broke it? You can create opportunities to teach |
| you begin to focus on what they can do, you will find | | | | consequences, boundaries and limits with your children. |
| them beginning to make those choices on their own. | | | | It is important that you decide just what kind of home |
| The second solution is providing a space for active | | | | environment you want to live in and then share this |
| play both inside and out. Outside, children's feet can | | | | with your children, letting them know what is important |
| climb ladders to slides, or monkey bars, and trees!! Balls | | | | to you as parents and what your expectations are |
| can be thrown to see how many pop cans you can | | | | and the vision you have of your family life. Go over |
| hit. Make sure you have a stop watch because | | | | the family rules and helping your children understand |
| children love to see how fast they can run across the | | | | the reasoning behind them, like the lamp and toy |
| yard, or race through an obstacle course. Sounds like | | | | example. This is all part of teaching children respect for |
| fun doesn't it, and what child would not behave better | | | | others and themselves as well. You are teaching your |
| when mom or dad takes some time to play too! | | | | children to feel good about ‘who' they are because |
| A large cardboard box can be scribbled on, punched, | | | | they are learning to have control over themselves. |
| squashed, and crawled into. Purchase some large | | | | Make sure you allow time each week to share how |
| chart paper or newspaper end rolls to lie on the floor | | | | you appreciate your children's behaviours and that you |
| for drawing, and painting. Why not set a time aside for | | | | can see how they are doing their best to follow your |
| some fun wrestling with mom or dad. You can set up | | | | family rules. Let your children share how they feel |
| an obstacle course inside as well. Provide things that | | | | about their behaviour too and what they like doing |
| can be taken apart with tools, just visit your nearest | | | | best. When children are given the opportunity to be |
| second hand store. Don't forget hammer and nails. | | | | heard and provided the space to live out their |
| Pounding in a nail is a fun challenge for most children. | | | | imagination they will be more open to really listening to |
| Of course having some soft balls to toss around inside | | | | you and will want to be a cooperative family member. |