Hi Reader,

I hope you are having a great day! Today is a pretty quiet day here. We are getting ready to hit the road for a week. We are heading off to Winnipeg if the roads are worth it.

In this newsletter, I want to summarize the workshop I did on Tuesday about getting to the root of it.

Understanding and addressing your child's behaviour can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and approach, you can create a positive and nurturing environment for your little ones.

The following is a list of key points from the workshop:

1. Behavior as Communication:

I emphasized that behaviour is a form of communication and a sign of unmet needs, especially in children under the age of five. By recognizing this, you can better understand your child's emotions and respond effectively.

2. Brain Development and Emotion Regulation:

Brenda highlighted the role of brain development in a child's ability to understand and regulate their emotions. Significant improvements occur around ages eight and twelve, so it's important to be patient and provide guidance during these stages.

3. The ABCs of Behavior:

The ABCs (antecedent, behaviour, consequence) can help you gain insight into what triggers a behaviour and how it is reinforced. By examining these elements, you can better understand your child's actions and respond appropriately.

(I dove in and gave you the information that is helpful to know about the behaviour)

4. Be Specific in Describing Behavior:

Being specific and concrete in describing your child's behaviour allows for a better understanding of the situation. I should be able to close my eyes and picture exactly what the child is doing.

Labelling their body movements and reactions can help accurately identify the behaviour and address it effectively.

5. The Importance of Connection and Belonging:

Children rely on adults to co-regulate their emotions and provide a sense of security. Engaging in activities that promote connection, such as eye contact, touching, and talking, can strengthen your bond and support your child's emotional well-being.

6. Understanding Consequences:

The consequence, or what happens after the behaviour, is crucial in understanding the root cause. By recognizing patterns and adjusting your approach, you can provide attention and connection proactively, reducing the need for meltdowns.

7. Reframing Goals of Behavior:

I introduced the concept of reframing the goals of misbehaviour as goals of behaviour. By understanding your child's desire for attention, control, revenge, or a sense of inadequacy, you can address each goal effectively and promote positive behaviour.

(I broke down all the goals with the feelings that you may be feeling. This can really help you get to the root of your child's behaviour)

8. Strategies for Addressing Different Goals:

I provided strategies for addressing different goals of behaviour, such as providing child-directed time, setting limits on control, having conversations about fairness, and helping children feel capable and supported.

9. Sleep Issues:

I reviewed the main causes of sleep issues with young children. Consider sleep associations, pressure, and environment when addressing sleep issues. Managing daytime sleep and creating a relaxing sleep environment can improve sleep patterns.

I hope you enjoy the workshop and added information.

Here is the link to the video of the workshop:

​Getting to the Root of It​

Now that we have talked about getting to the root of the behaviour the next step is to be proactive in understanding and addressing your child's behaviour. By creating a nurturing and supportive environment, you can promote positive behaviour and strengthen your bond with your child.

What's next?

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 7:00 pm there will be a workshop about proactive parenting.