The festive season over Christmas can be one of those times when parents find that there is a spike in negative child behaviour which in turn can make parenting more difficult. According to Behaviour Analysts, there are several different factors at play that can contribute to this, & this article gives some guidance & advice as to some measures parents can put in place, & things for parents to keep in mind, in order to minimise behaviour challenges, so that Christmas time can be the enjoyable, positive celebration that it is supposed to be.
Behaviour Therapists recommend that parents avoid overscheduling too many activities in for their child over the festive period, & allow for some down time to be incorporated into it. Overscheduling can lead to burn out on the child’s part, which leads to them being more tired & irritable, & in turn less able to regulate themselves & more likely to have difficulty managing anger.
Keep an eye on your child’s sugar intake as they may already be overstimulated. Findings from studies in the field of Behaviour Analysis show, that adding sugar to the mix when a child is already overstimulated, increases the chance of negative behaviour such as tantrums.
When Christmas Day is over, children can find themselves out of routine & bored in the days after. Child Therapists recommend for parents to make an effort to get out of the house with their child, even if it is just for a walk. Keeping the child occupied, active & getting fresh air, rather than just leaving them to their own devices & to entertain themselves, will reduce the likelihood of negative behaviour such as sibling rivalry & attention-seeking behaviour.
It is also important to keep some structure in place, such as getting up, going to bed, & having meals at their usual time. Stagger the present opening so that they don’t get overwhelmed with so many things, & so that they get time to enjoy opening each present.
And Remember To Relax & Enjoy It!
To Book An In-Person Consultation In County Donegal, Or A Zoom Appointment Anywhere Across Ireland Or Further Afield To Get Help Managing Your Child’s Behaviour:
Call: 00353 89 451 1432
Or
E-mail: thechildbehaviourconsultancy@outlook.ie
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