When parents notice that there are certain activities that always trigger negative behaviour at home, Behaviour Analysts recommend that it can be beneficial for the parents to reduce the amount of time their child is allowed to do the activity until their behaviour while doing the activity improves. In doing so, the parent in turn reduces the likelihood of the activity triggering behaviour challenges, such as sibling rivalry, tantrums, negative attention-seeking behaviour, etc.
Behaviour Therapists advise that during the time when the time spent doing the activity is reduced, it is beneficial for the parent to supervise & work on improving the child’s behaviour when they are doing the activity. Then, as soon as the parent sees anything happen that could lead to negative behaviour, for e.g., the child getting frustrated or having difficulty managing anger – it is best for the parent to step in & prompt the child as to how the child should respond instead.
*It Is Important The Parent Does Not Let The Situation Escalate Before Stepping In*
Child Therapists advise, for example, if the parent sees the child start to bicker over whose turn it is, that it helps for the parent to intervene & say, for example, “It’s your sisters turn, now give her the dice”. When the child co-operates it is beneficial to reinforce this behaviour by giving the child praise, by saying something along the lines of, “Good on you, that’s good taking turns”.
*It’s much easier for the parent to intervene before the negative behaviour happens, than having to deal with it when it does *
Then, when there is an improvement in the child’s behaviour while doing the activity, the length of time that the child can participate in the activity can then increase again.
Also, when parenting, it is important for parents to remember to make a point of it when their child does play nicely, & for the parent to encourage their child to share, take turns, be a good winner/loser, etc. as studies in the field of Behaviour Analysis show, that when these behaviours are learned at home, it makes the child much better equipped to handle these situations in other environments outside of the home environment then too.
