As parents, when we see our child acting mean, it can bring on a flurry of emotions. We’re surprised and baffled: How could he do such a thing?! We’re irritated: She knows better! We’re worried: He won’t have any friends if he keeps acting that way! Is the other child hurt? And, if there are other adults around, we may also feel embarrassed: Maybe they’ll judge us because our kid is acting mean.
Children act mean because they’re impulsive, they don’t know better ways to solve problems, and their empathy isn’t fully developed. “Induction” means guiding children to understand how their actions affect others. Punishment can make kids feel angry and resentful, but induction can teach them to make more caring choices. Here’s how to use induction to help your child get back on track after doing something mean (and click on the link below for more info):
- Describe the dilemma, using the word "and."
- Explain how the other child is feeling.
- Focus on moving forward.
- Comment on the positive impact of your child's kind action.