6 Tips For Teaching Impatient Children

Posted on September 27, 2008
Filed Under Children

by Zacharias Allred
Teaching children patience can be challenging. Your children receive attention for what ever they need from the time they are born. They learn that they can cry and this brings you running to their aid. What do you do when they get a little older, though? Here are 6 tips to teach your children patience.

1. Do not reward bad behavior. When a baby cries they need something. You would be neglecting your baby just to let them cry without any response. But eventually your child cries over everything even when they can talk. You need to let your child know that crying when ever they want something is no longer appropriate. They need to use words.

2. Set an example. I have to sit back and analyze times during my day when I am not showing patience. Perhaps you know what I mean. For me when I watch television I become very impatient with my children if they are causing a disturbance. I find though, that if I stay calm and let them know that either they stop making noise or they leave the room that I have better results.

3. Acknowledge patient behavior. Take notice when your child does show patience. Perhaps they are waiting for you to do something before they ask their question. Tell them how proud you are of them. Thank them for being so patient.

4. Slow down. In America our lives are very fast paced. Television and video games teach impatience by constantly seeking to gratify a child’s need for fast input. Sometimes we enhance this by having our children in multiple activities in addition to school. Try some activities like the park or reading a book.

5. Board games. Games where a child needs to wait their turn can be very good for teaching patience. I have done this and it can be frustrating at first because children are not used to waiting. Keep at it though and eventually your children will learn that it is enjoyable when others are having fun also.

6. Baking. Bake cookies with your children. Time has to pass while the cookies are being baked. You can then associate being patient with the reward of a cookie.

Teaching children to be patient is not easy but it is possible. You must set a good example and then be consistent. Reward good behavior and engage your children in activities that naturally teach patience.

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