1. Helping Children Behave
Dealing with behavior is the one of the most common issues with babysitting

2. Most common reasons children misbehave
Copying the behavior they have seen or have gotten attention from before
Feeling jealous or competition toward a sibling
Testing limits
Asserting independence
Tired, frustrated, hungry or scared
In need of attention
Bored

3. Encouraging Positive Behavior
Let the children know when they are behaving well
Set rules, boundaries, and limitations when you first arrive on the job.
Create a schedule in advance
Follow household routines as much as possible
Keep off-limit items out of sight
Be fair- no favorites!
Try to keep things fun

4. Correct the behavior w/o criticizing the child
When a child misbehaves you want the child to know you dislike the behavior rather than the child
When a child misbehave you have 3 choices:
Do nothing
Say something
Do something
Each of these work well in different situations

5. Do Nothing Ignore the child’s misbehavior if it is safe to do so
This works well when the child is misbehaving to get your attention

6. Saying Something Tell the child what to do or what not to do
This will work for most common babysitter problems
Stay calm and use a neutral tone even if child is screaming
Explain why the behavior is unacceptable
Offer an alternative activity if they cannot do the one they want
Use “when…then” statements

7. Physically doing something
You take physical action to stop misbehavior
Physically stop the behavior from occurring if it is a physical threat to the child or others
Stop child from hitting and tell them to use their words to talk
Change location
If baby keeps going toward the flat screen TV, change rooms
NEVER HIT, SPANK, SLIP, OR MAKE FUN OF A CHILD

8. Consequences Used effectively can teach a child to follow rules
Consequences should follow this order:
Natural- Happen as part of activity
For example: stuffed bear in the rain
Logical- relate to the action
For example: rebuild siblings blocks if you knock them down
Withholding privileges- works for child preschool age and up
What is an example?
Time-Out- what is this?
What would be an example of this?

9. Behavior Challenges: Temper Tantrums
This is a challenging behavior used by children to get their way
Common for toddlers and preschooler and usually involve:
Whining
Crying
Screaming
Kicking
Hitting
Breath-holding
Tantrums result b/c children lack communication skills and get frustrated

10. Prevent temper tantrums by:
Being flexible
Giving children attention
Offering choices when possible
Distracting children if a tantrum seems to be coming on
Keeping off-limit items out of sight
Keeping your cool, children will learn by your example

11. Crying Common for infants- this is their form of communication
Infants for cry for 1-5 hrs. a day
Check to see if hungry, tired, too hot or cold, or due to need of a diaper change
When all else fails- cuddle and rock the baby
For children above preschooler talk through the situation to assess the problem then work out a solution

12. Biting, Hitting, and Kicking
Common for toddlers and younger preschoolers
At this age they have trouble expressing feelings and may not be aware this action can hurt others
If a child bites, hits, or kicks—
Encourage the child to explain the problem in words
Explain appropriate behavior
Ask questions to get the child to think of the victim’s perspective (Have you ever been bitten?)
Comfort the child who was bitten before dealing with the one who bit them
Do not bite the child back- Why do you think this?

13. Sibling Rivalry
What is sibling rivalry?

14. Sibling Rivalry
Jealously, completion, or independence usually fuel sibling rivalries
If you try to solve problem, solve the issue WITH the siblings and not FOR them
Separate kids until they calm
Don’t yell or lecture
Don’t focus on placing blame
Encourage win-win negotiations
What is this?

15. Prevent fights by: Not picking favorites
Plan fun activities for everyone
Never compare children
Have fun together
Find time for one-on-one attention for each child

16. FIND Decision- Making Model
Weigh options
Not intended for
emergency situations

17. The Case of the Babysitter and the Bouncing Boys
FIND Decision Making
Your Answers
Figure out the Problem
Identify possible solutions
Name the pros and cons for each solution
Decide which solution is best, then act on it