• Catch them being good: Notice and praise positive behaviour’s immediately to reinforce good actions. 
• Descriptive praise: Specifically state what they are doing well, like “I like how you are sharing your toys!”. 
• Empathize with their feelings: Acknowledge their emotions and try to understand their perspective, saying things like “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated”. 
• Set clear expectations: Establish simple rules and routines with consistent consequences for inappropriate behaviour. 
• Be a positive role model: Demonstrate desired behaviours yourself. 
• Stay calm and consistent: Respond calmly to tantrums and avoid yelling, maintaining a consistent approach to discipline. 
• Give choices when possible: Offer limited options to help them feel empowered and make decisions. 
• Positive reinforcement: Use rewards like stickers, praise, or special time together to encourage good behaviour. 
• Time-in instead of time-out: Stay with your child during a difficult moment, offering comfort and support to help them regulate their emotions. 
• Read age-appropriate books: Use stories to discuss emotions and appropriate social behaviours. 

How to handle difficult behaviour

If problem behaviour is causing you or your child distress, or upsetting the rest of the family, it’s important to deal with it.

Do what feels right

What you do has to be right for your child, yourself and the family. If you do something you do not believe in or that you do not feel is right, it probably will not work. Children notice when you do not mean what you’re saying.

Do not give up

Once you’ve decided to do something, continue to do it. Solutions take time to work. Get support from your partner, a friend, another parent or your health visitor. It’s good to have someone to talk to about what you’re doing.

Be consistent

Children need consistency. If you react to your child’s behaviour in one way one day and a different way the next, it’s confusing for them. It’s also important that everyone close to your child deals with their behaviour in the same way.

Try not to overreact

This can be difficult. When your child does something annoying time after time, your anger and frustration can build up.

It’s impossible not to show your irritation sometimes, but try to stay calm. Move on to other things you can both enjoy or feel good about as soon as possible.

Find other ways to cope with your frustration, like talking to other parents.

Talk to your child

Children do not have to be able to talk to understand. It can help if they understand why you want them to do something. For example, explain why you want them to hold your hand while crossing the road.

Once your child can talk, encourage them to explain why they’re angry or upset. This will help them feel less frustrated.

Remember if you have siblings, this can affect them too, so explaining to them what is happening and how your dealing with the behaviour can also help them to deal with their emotions as well as the sibling.