Tips and Activities To Teach Good Behavior
Characters of Character feels that having good behavior is a grand platform to showcase your character. First, when you have good behavior, you’re tuned in to the lesson at school. When you have good behavior, you know and follow the rules that are made for wherever you are. When you have good behavior you will attract others who have the same character. I always told our children that if they are with a person who gets into trouble, and they are causing trouble, you most likely will be in trouble as well. By this I meant that if you’re sitting in class next to the other person who doesn’t follow directions, likes to be mischievous and bothersome to their surroundings, you might be pulled into their nonsense, too. If they are called out, you probably will be as well.
As I taught preschool, I did have a young boy who was disruptive in our classroom. One morning he came in the classroom, just pushed a desk out of the way and ran to hide under a table. First I got the students engaged in their activity and then went over to this young boy under the table. I climbed underneath to where he was sitting and just asked him, “Giovanni, how can Ms. Joni help you to behave better in our classroom?” His answer may shock you! He said, and I quote; “Teach me.” I thought about this for a moment. He calmed down and soon joined in our daily activities. However, when I truly reflected on this it came to my attention that this is a trait, a value that needs to be taught. I’m guilty of saying to our kids while they were growing up, “BEHAVE’ when you’re at your friends house, Or, “BEHAVE” when we go to the store. We are quick to acknowledge poor behaviors and don’t often take the time to explain what it means to behave. I had a conference with his parents and we made a behavior plan which was used at home to help him succeed in the classroom and the community and at home.
TIPS to help reinforce and teach good behavior in children with Behavior Bear as follows:
I put together some tips to help you teach your own children what it means to have good behavior. Please try to remember, that when our children act out, there may be an underlying issue. Like they do not know what it means. Therefore, it is important to communicate with your children, and it is as important to be a good listener as they share their thoughts and feelings, too.
Discuss what good behavior means to your child. As an adult we know that it means their conduct is pleasing, appropriate. What are your expectations in your home to describe what good behavior is? This may be no running in the house, or throwing the ball in the house. While you reinforce this rule, also provide an outlet, for example, if they can not rough house inside the house, let them play outdoors, or in the basement. Or, redirect their rough house behavior by suggesting a calmer activity to do.
Discuss that by having good behavior we respect one another. When speaking to one another, make eye contact and be sure to have one anthers attention in the situation.
Make visuals to display to remind your children what the rules are in the house and what is expected of them to display good behavior. You may discuss taking turns as part of having good behavior. When you’re playing a game as a family to take turns, this way we all get a chance to play the game.
Be a role model! You may find it hard to believe at times, but, your children are listening to your conversations, watching what you do and wanting to be like you. Make good choices.
Encourage your children to have good behavior.
Recognize their good behavior, try not to constantly point out their poor behavior.
Redirect their mindset if they are making poor choices, having a tantrum, etc. Find their happy button and turn it on!
ACTIVITIES to do with your children to reinforce and help teach good behavior with Behavior Bear!
The above photo is from the Health & Wellness Fair at the Nashville Fairgrounds where Joni was invited to present and discuss a few of the Characters of Character to help teach good behavior, good manners and self-esteem in our children and youth.
First, Print out the template for Behavior Bear here. In the picture above, I printed out Behavior Bear on card stock to make it more durable, colored it in and glued it on a ruler because we all know that GOOD BEHAVIOR rules! Keep Behavior Bear visual as a reminder at home, driving in the car, etc. Behavior Bear wants to become a part of your daily activities!
Next, print out another of the same template to use as a Journal cover. Keeping crayons, pencils and such with the Journal to encourage your children to write in their Behavior Bear journal book. Let your child design the cover, I actually cut my Behavior Bear out and glued it on a colorful paper then stapled copy paper for the pages. Your children are creative and imaginative, let them design their own book to write, color and journal in.
Then, Behavior Bear also has a template to make a paper bag puppet! Click here for the template. Kids love to make puppet shows! Let Behavior Bear be their go to for creativity and to express how they are feeling.
Finally, this is a mini story to print out here. Color the page, fold it and read it with your child. It will fit just right in their hands to carry around and be reminded to have good behavior! We also have a YouTube Chanel which offers a lot of fun activities to engage your children and empower their minds in good character! Learn more about our organization here.