5 Teaching Techniques For Children Who Are Too Active In Regulating Impulsive Control

Illustration (Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Children who are too active need to be taught good self-control by their parents. Unfortunately, teaching impulse control techniques in children is not as easy as imagined. Especially in children whose age is still relatively small.

In fact, impulse control is an important skill that can be nurtured and improved in children, unlimited age. This is important, because a lack of self-control can cause many behavioral problems in the future. Without effective intervention, overactive behavior will be considered normal, becoming a habit, even worsening over time.

In order not to regret it later, parents need to pay attention to five techniques to teach impulse control in children who are too active, driven by Very Well Family, Monday, December 11.

Children who find it difficult to express what they feel tend to be impulsive. For example, hitting to express anger or shouting and even slamming yourself on the floor to show sadness.

Teach children to recognize their feelings so they can tell you what they feel. Instead of showing how they feel. Start by teaching children how to label their emotions, such as anger, sadness, joy, shock, worry, or fear. Then, discuss the differences between behavior and feelings.

Make sure they know that anger is natural. However, hitting, kicking, or shouting at someone when angry is not a good thing. When children are able to express their emotions well, they will feel more listened to and supported. So there's no need to act too much.

Sometimes, children behave impulsively because they do not listen to orders or parental directions. This applies especially to children with ADHD. Help them stay on track by making sure the child really listens to your orders. If not, without listening to your orders until they are finished, they can act immediately without knowing what you say.

In addition, try to make directions simple, easy to follow, and with as few steps as possible. Also consider the ability of children to follow multi-step directions according to their development. You can also try to write down directions so that they have references if they forget what needs to be done.

Although the brainstorming solution sounds simple and easy to do, it's actually a problem-solving method being one of the most effective impulse control techniques. Teach children that there is more than one way of solving a problem and it will be useful if they evaluate some potential solutions before taking action.

Encourage children to devote at least five ways that can be done in solving a problem. Before deciding what really needs to be done. After identifying a possible solution, help them evaluate which solution might be the most effective. By exercising, they can get used to thinking before acting.

The low ability to control anger can lead to impulsive explosions. Teaching children anger management skills can help them overcome emotions in a healthy way.

Show children specific strategies, such as taking a deep breath or walking around the house to burn energy. You can also give them some items that can help your child feel relaxed, such as stress balls. It is important to teach children how to calm down, make more choices, and put them in a quiet place before reacting impulsively.

Create clear rules, then convey the reasons for creating these rules. Providing structure and conveying parents' expectations to children can help improve impulse control. Because they know what behavior parents expect their children to do. In fact, research shows that children's development tends to be good with the routines and rules provided from within the home.

Convey your expectations before your child enters a new situation. Also explain negative consequences if they violate the rules. Then, they will be able to make more appropriate decisions about their behavior.