by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: October 07, 2008

Laugh A Lot And Your Children Will Too

"You are loved!"

But, children are children and that is exactly what you want them to be, right? You may not necessarily like, or approve of their past or current behaviors.

"Regardless."

Here are some valuable tips on encouraging new and desired behavior in children.

1. Think like children for a moment.

Totally ignore the fact that you are an adult and think like your children for a little while. Your adult level of thought is full of things that are guided or directed, by a whole collection of rules and regulations. That is great but only to a degree. Your children do not necessarily know all of those rules and regulations yet.

Thinking like children do, for a moment, can help you to see how your children perceive, as opposed to how you perceive, in terms of the rules and regulations that you know are important. Now you are thinking in a wonderful world where virtually anything goes!

2. Safety is a primary concern.

In the world where virtually anything goes, there can be some serious safety concerns. These really cannot be ignored, because your children's lives could be endangered. Of course, here you need to think like a responsible adult again.

Your children, depending on their ages, probably do not know what the possible dangers are, or where they are lurking in their immediate environment. Behaviors, directly related to safety concerns, will need to be the new and desired behaviors that your children learn first.

Self protection is extremely important, with respect to the environment in which your children are currently situated, as well as in regard to similar circumstances or situations that may occur in the future..

3. Begin to teach your children the words "yes" and "no".

It will not take very long for your children to learn the difference between the word "yes" and "no", if you, as the person who is responsible for them, are consistent with the use of these words.

Begin with the serious and most important safety issues. Your children will look to see whether or not you approve of what they are touching, playing with, or doing. Acknowledge the fact that they turn to you for approval as a good behavior. Stop them immediately, if the new behavior that they are initiating is not appropriate, or one that is unsafe for them.

For example, simply say "yes" when your children pick up toys that are safe for them to play with, like teddy bears or balls. Say "no" to destructive toys, or anything else that they try to play with, that

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