When misbehaviour becomes the new normal in your house, the knee jerk reaction you might have is to beat up the keyboard searching for a quick fix tip on ‘how to stop bad behaviour’.
But here’s the deal… you don’t really believe your child or their behaviour is that bad. You just want to figure out what’s going on and get a handle on it. Plus, if that search brings a little peace and quiet to your day, that wouldn’t make you mad. I get it.
I’m glad you landed here because I know exactly how to help you ‘fix’ the situation you’re in…
I love to read and ‘nerd out’ about new tips and strategies that help families thrive in a more peaceful household. In fact, I just read an article that I think would help you learn both short and long-term solutions to bad behaviour (the kind that makes you want to run away for a long weekend). The Children and Nature Network obviously loves finding ways for parents to have fun with their children in the great outdoors. But in their ‘Thriving Through Nature’ article, they cover the psychology behind spending time outside and how green time does so much more than fill your lungs with fresh air. This article specifically points out how spending time outside directly contributes to developing our children’s executive functioning skills.
If you’re thinking “what is Allana talking about” let me explain. ‘Executive Functioning Skills’ is the technical term for the mental tools you and I use to administer our behaviour. Behaviours everyone must learn so they can choose not to hit when they’re upset, or remember where they left the car keys.
Because you’re an adult you already know and may have mastered these skills, but children still need to be taught. That’s why Johnny technically isn’t misbehaving when you ask him to get his shoes a hundred times and he still doesn’t do it. It means his executive functioning skill of working memory needs to be strengthened.
Actions such as running barefoot, climbing trees, balancing across logs are all natural for a child to perform while exploring nature. They think they’re only playing when in actuality, they’re beefing up these skills that have been shown to make a huge difference in both academic and social success later in life.
An exhausted child is a bonus to playing outside, but in reality, nature’s helping your children work the ‘executive functioning skill’ muscles needed to learn working memory, self-regulation, and so much more without it feeling like work.
The concept of bad behaviour brought you here, but honestly, the real reason your child is not listening or acting out goes much deeper than not having enough green time.
I’m dishing out practical tips on how to correct negative behaviours you’d rather do without and how to bring harmony back into your home. Best part, its FREE.
And if it’s not bitterly cold where you are today, head outside and have some fun!
