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Child Psychology Tips that Every Mom Can Use
March 4th, 2011 | 
Author: By Allison Gamble, Guest Writer
With childhood depression and teen suicide at an all time high, you may feel like you need a psychology degree to coach your kids through their adolescence. However, just a few tips from the psychology field can go a long way. Psychology is the study of mind and behavior and offers us insight into why people act the way they do. By utilizing the following tips for child psychology, you can ensure that your kids navigate their teen years with ease.
Support Your Child
Parents should emphasize the following four criteria during a child’s formative years to facilitate normal child development.
Remember that relationships are important; parents should encourage children to establish relationships with peers and family members. Second, keep in mind that healthy self-views are necessary for children to become self-actualized. Children need encouragement as much as they need boundaries. A realistic and healthy self-image is essential. Third, teach your children to exhibit control over their impulses and emotions; delayed gratification is a concept most children know little about. Teach your children how to wait, have patience as well as control the expression of their emotions. Finally, focus on helping your children achieving their potential. Perhaps the most important way parents can support their children is to make sure they obtain the knowledge and skills needed for living independently.
Improve Your Child’s Behavior
According to the book, Child Psychology by Dr. Anupriya Chadha, the following psychologically-based tips can help improve your child’s behavior.
If your kid is frequently acting out, the most important step you can take is to reduce the amount of stimulation they receive and increase the structure in their lives. Although it is important to provide an outlet for children’s high energy levels, it is just as essential to impose structure on their daily activities. Your child should also know what you expect from them; spell out rules in advance, in language your child can understand. Establish acceptable behavioral norms and explain what will happen when if they ever are “out of line.” Never argue or negotiate over these ground rules once they’re established. Likewise, don’t say “yes” when you mean “no.” Children are very persistent and you will need to be firm in your decisions.
It is also crucial you teach by example. If you tell your children to, “Do as I say not as I do,” you are only going to confuse them (as well as come across as a hypocrite). This means that you should also try to avoid fighting or arguing with your partner in front of your children as much as possible. All children will imitate their parents’ behavior in their interactions with other children as well as adults and fighting in front of them will only encourage them to fight with others.
Finally, avoid giving more child excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar-saturated foods. An improper diet can lead to hyper-activity, childhood obesity and other health problems. Similarly, eating meals as a family will help teach proper nutritional and eating habits as well as provide time for you to bond. You may also want to get to know your child’s teacher and/or counselor. Develop a working relationship with your child’s teachers and counselors will allow you to stay “in the loop” so that potential problems can be caught and addressed early.
Combat Negative Thoughts
According to research compiled by the San Jose Mercury News, negative thinking can begin a needless torrent of angst and feelings of unworthiness. In fact, according to psychologist Albert Ellis, “You largely feel the way you think.” Therefore if you notice that your child seems depressed, you can help improve your children’s perception of themselves simply by identifying and focusing on the particular area of self-esteem that needs to be addressed the most. These areas include:
- Physical self-esteem: physical ability and appearance
- Academic self-esteem: competence in school
- Social self-esteem: relationships with peers and parents
Ultimately incorporating sound child psychology into your parenting style can assist you with facilitating normal childhood development. By following the tips above you will be able to recognize signs of trouble, provide encouragement to your kids and monitor what’s important to them to help ensure a healthy and positive childhood experience. You do not need a Ph.D. in psychology to raise your children, just a desire to raise a healthy, well-adjusted child and a commitment to doing your best.
Allison Gamble has been a curious student of psychology since high school. Though her studies led her to writing and editing, she keeps her understanding of the mind close in the weird world of internet marketing.
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Awesome tips! Thanks so much for sharing. We parents need all the help we can get, I know I do.
L. Eleana´s last blog ..Check Out My Latest Post on Skirt! The UniverSoul Circus- When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong”
Many great ideas in the field of parenting…my son and I present seminars in which the most important tip involves helping kids understand that ‘no’ actually does mean ‘no’ every time! That makes life so much easier for both parents and kids.
childhoodmyths.blogspot.com
Great tips. Love the focus on structure. That’s my #1 piece of advice to parents. Kids need to know what to expect. It keeps them grounded.
Practical Parenting´s last blog ..Feeling Lost in Mommyhood Tips for raising your mom-esteem
You’re right, you don’t need a Ph.D. in psychology to raise well adjusted children, but it sure feels like it sometimes! LOL! Great article with helpful tips on parenting kids of today. Thanks for sharing with the readers of Our Mommyhood!