CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) – Research shows that children who have good impulse control tend to be more successful in life. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Elaine Ducharme joined us with tips.
What is impulse control?Basically it is about delaying a behavior in order to obtain a more positive outcome. Impulse control covers so many aspects of our daily activities such as not hitting your brother for taking your toy, talking back to teachers, blowing up when you don’t get your way.10 tips to help parents teach this:
1. Teach kids about feelings and empathy. If they understand how others feel they are less likely to want to just hurt them.
2. Teach listening skills…give your kids a direction and then ask them to repeat it to you.
3. Teach Problem Solving Talk about different solutions to daily problems….like what can you do if another kid jumps the line etc
4. Teach Anger Management Help them learn to talk about their feelings rather than act on them. There is another wrong with being mad. It is what we do with these feelings that matters. Calming techniques such abdominal breathing, taking a break by going for a walk, drinking some water, listening to music
5. Have Clear Household Rules Kids do much better when they know what to expect. But parents must be consistent.
6. Provide Structure All kids do better with structure
7. Provide Times for Delayed Gratification and talk about it
8. Model Appropriate Impulse Control They will do what you do not what you say
9. Encourage Exercise Burn off the energy
10. Play Impulse Control Games Simon Says, Follow the Leader,What about kids with impulse disorders, such as Attention Deficit Disorders?
First we have to be sure it really is ADHS which is a biologic disorder. But sometimes we see kids with poor impulse control because their parents are parenting out of fear and frustration. But even kids with impulse control disorders can really benefit from these tips.
