| Dealing with inappropriate or attention seeking- | | | | If they begin again, quickly turn your back again. |
| behaviors is a tough one, and it takes some time to | | | | When they stop again, hug them, hold both of their |
| master. Young children don’t differentiate | | | | hands, pick them up, whatever you can do to get that |
| between negative attention and positive attention, a | | | | hormone flowing! Repeat over and over how |
| concept that is extremely difficult for adults to grasp. | | | | you’re so proud of them for being so good/nice/big |
| But, think of it on a primal or biological level. | | | | etc. You want them to be satisfied by the positive |
| Children’s bodies produce human growth hormone | | | | reinforcement that was the result of positive behavior. |
| (HGH) when they receive attention. It is overly | | | | It usually only takes a few times to completely |
| exciting to them to get attention and causes them to | | | | extinguish a behavior, even for children with disabilities, |
| be happy, healthy, and surprisingly, to grow. It | | | | learning disorders and behavioral problems. |
| doesn’t matter if the attention is positive or | | | | This is a two-pronged approach. Remember, |
| negative, they need it to survive. | | | | you’re not teaching them that a specific behavior is |
| Pick a day that you will start and make sure that you | | | | wrong; you’re teaching them to seek out positive |
| have time to follow through for as long as it will take. | | | | attention instead of negative. Spend about 10 minutes |
| Remember that they are young and try to quickly | | | | deliberately giving them positive attention, every hour. |
| redirect their attention if they start misbehaving. If | | | | If you don’t plan it, it can easily be missed due to |
| they persist, then follow these steps. | | | | household and personal responsibilities. |
| Turn your back and make sure that you show no | | | | Use your time together to teach your child |
| emotion or reaction. Punishments, warnings, and even | | | | responsibility, too. Utilize the good feelings that you |
| a glance can reinforce the attention-seeking behavior. | | | | create and have the child associate that feeling with |
| Make sure that you don’t have your eyes on the | | | | accomplishing tasks. This will help to love learning, |
| child and that no part of you is touching them or even | | | | work to finish things and to want to succeed. Have |
| aimed slightly towards them. The first time you do | | | | them organize toys in separate bins, hugging and |
| this, you will probably get quite a show! | | | | cheering every time a toy goes in. Teach them |
| Make sure that your child stays safe. The child will | | | | something that they can be proud of, like folding wash |
| have to test your boundaries to determine how big of | | | | cloths or hanging shirts on baby hangers and infant |
| a commotion they will need to cause the next time to | | | | hangers. Make sure that they can be successful, |
| get that growth hormone rush and satisfaction. So, | | | | and if they’re not, praise them for trying. |
| be prepared to stick to your guns. Don’t give in or | | | | Once you have a system for dealing with negative |
| you just taught them that they need to go to | | | | behaviors and your child associates attention with |
| extremes to get your attention. | | | | positive ones, parenting will be a lot more fulfilling and a |
| As soon as they stop, even if it’s for a second, | | | | positive experience for you and your child. |
| turn around and praise them for stopping the behavior. | | | | |