Child Mental Health | The Child Behaviour Consultancy

The following are some tips for parents from a Behaviour Analyst on increasing the chances of more positive child mental health:

1) Have Scheduled Family Time – Parenting is such a full on, busy role. Due to this, parents often overlook purposely setting aside time for the family to spend quality time together. Parents often say that they don’t have the time to do this on a regular basis, but studies in the field of Behaviour Analysis show that it is an essential element to incorporate into family life. It is essential for parents to make the time to regularly do this on a consistent basis. In addition to this, making the time for quality one-to-one time with each child is crucial in order to give each child enough time & attention, & by making the time for regular, quality one-to-one time with each child, this reduces the likelihood of sibling rivalry & attention seeking behaviour.

2) Put A Limit On How Much Access To Screens That Your Child Gets – It is well noted that screen time has a negative impact on child behaviour & so this is why Behaviour Therapists highlight that it is key for parents to ensure that boundaries are enforced around screen time. Tantrums, the child being zoned out, the child being lethargic, & outbursts when asked to come off screens, etc., are just some of the types of negative behaviour that has been observed from children getting access to too much screen time. In addition to this, if the child is spending too much time on screens, social media, etc., & not enough time playing & burning energy, then this can also impact negatively on child mental health.

3) Really Listen To Your Child Before Responding With Advice – One of the most important things in life, is that a person feels seen, heard, & loved. This is why it is vital that when a child is in need of advice, that you as a parent really do stop & listen to them properly, & put thought into the advice that you give your child. When a parent takes the things a child worries seriously & handles it in the right way, then the child is more likely going to grow into a teenager & adult who looks for their parents’ advice then too.

4) Surround Your Child With Healthy Adults – Child Therapists emphasise that we become most like the people that we spend the most time with. This means that your child is going to be influenced & impacted by the adults that you surround them with. As a result of this, is is pivotal that the adults children are around, are healthy, stable, & well-rounded individuals.

5) Respond Calmly When Your Child’s Emotions Are Elevated – Sometimes parents can find child behaviour quite difficult to deal with & as a result, this can lead to parents having difficulty managing anger when met with their child’s behaviour challenges. It is so important to remember to stay calm in these situations, as the aim is to bring the child into your calm, & not join them in their chaos.

6) Always Believe In Your Child – By a parent believing in their child & their capabilities, this highlights to the child their own worth, & it instills in them a great deep-rooted belief in themselves too. This is such an important thing for the child’s mental health, as it reinforces in them, that no matter what happens, they will handle it, which instills confidence in them & empowers them.



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