Helping children learn that their decisions have consequences is an ongoing process that starts in early childhood and progresses through adolescence. Encourage your child to think through choices and help them see how the results of demonstrating self-control lead to healthy, safe, and moral consequences.
Some examples:
- Your teenage son is starving and grabs a bag of chips and heads out of the room. Encourage him to pause, think about his choices and show some self-control. Self-control in this instance delays gratification and leads to a healthier food choice.
- Your young child wants to run everywhere: in the parking lot, across the street, in the grocery store. Teach her not only how to control her body in certain situations but why, so she can learn to become alert to consequences of her actions and make safe choices.
- Your 6th grader has started yelling out of anger. Teach him he has choices on how to express emotions appropriately. Give him strategies that help him demonstrate self- control over his emotions, restrain impulses, and lead to a morally acceptable choice.
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