Creating A Positive Environment
By
Mike

This is my first article so bear with me but the main goal I have is to give some tips on how to create a positive environment for your children.

Tips:
1) The most important tip is to have a positive mindset. If a positive mindset is used then other positive attributes surface on their own. It is so important that parents and workers enter the children's environment with a positive mindset because the children will pick up on the positive attitude and model it. Conversely, if a worker or parent enters with a negative attitude, the children will pick up on it too and model it. A negative mindset in general is a pathway for the mind to absorb all of the negative around and lead to self destruction and a negative influence on everyone around.

2) The second tip is to model the behavior that you expect from the children. If you yell and scream the children are going to yell and scream too. However, if you instead walk over to the child and quiet talk to them, you will notice they are more apt to do the same. Also positive and mature interaction with other workers or parents is very important. Kids pick up on your interactions and model them. Be conscious and self aware of your interactions with the kids and coworkers/parents and try to make them positive and warm exchanges.

3) This goes along with the previous one, but never let yourself lose your temper or composure with a child. If you feel yourself losing control then back away immediately. You can seek a coworker or spouse to take over but losing control only makes situations worse and teaches the kids that losing their temper is okay.

4) Don't try to control the kids, try to control their environment. For example if a child is refusing to turn off the TV and come to dinner, instead of screaming at the child, walk over and turn it off. Tell them that if the incident happens again the TV is taken away for two days. If the incident does happen again make sure to take away the TV for two days. Speak in a calm, non threatening way and establish clear cause and effect.

5) Listen and try to understand your kids. Understand them and their likes, dislikes, etc. Try to plan activities that will peak their interests and get them involved.

6) When kids have a conflict, don't focus on the negatives. What works well for me is in most cases ignore the conflict since it is usually over something arbitrary. Instead, have the kids say one positive comment to each other. Sometimes you need to start it off and it is also a good way for you to get feedback from the kids that you wouldn't normally get. In my experiences I have been quite shocked at some of the positive comments kids have said about me and they reinforced my positive mindset that much more. In my experiences soon after the children say the positive comments to each other they are smiling, hugging and much closer on a personal level. I have gotten feedback from other people who have tried this and it has helped to create some very positive experiences for them too.

I think that is about it for now until I think of more. I hope you find these useful and I will be updating it. Take care.
-Mike

Post edited by: admin, at: 2007/02/27 00:07