Prepare in Advance

Planning Ahead (Ages 1-8)

It’s important to plan ahead for difficult situations that may arise for both children and parents.

Steps to Follow:

• Identify difficult situations in advance.
• Explain what you want from your child in simple language.
• Ensure the child understands what you’ve said.
  • Have the child repeat the instructions in their own words to confirm understanding.
• Provide opportunities to practice and succeed.
  • Start by training in easier situations.
  • Gradually introduce more difficult scenarios.
  • For example, if you’re going shopping, begin by only purchasing one small item. If you’re visiting a new home, take your child for a short visit first.

Additional Tips:

Handling Behavior at Home and Outside:

• You can apply consequences for unacceptable behavior both at home and in public, but adapt them slightly. For example, if you use time-outs at home, at the supermarket, you could have the child stay close to you for a period if they misbehave.
• Discuss challenging situations afterward. When you return home, talk to your child about what happened, pointing out both the positive behaviors and areas for improvement.
• Acknowledge good behavior by naming it specifically and praising it, which will help encourage better behavior next time.