Are you wondering how you can develop good character traits in your kids, like being patient and having self-control among others? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
No one is born perfect or with good character and it needs to be taught and learned. And, the sooner it is taught, the better it is for both parents and children. However, the two rarely ever go hand in hand. And, let’s face it, even many adults have trouble exercising patience from time to time as it can be tough. But it’s necessary to do so as it helps develop their overall character.
If you are thinking of teaching your child to be more patient, here are some practical ways to go about it.
The Best Ways to Teach Children How to be More Patient
Children aren’t naturally inclined to be patient so here are some tips provided by one of the best schools in Kolkata to teach them how to be better at it.
- Start Small
As mentioned earlier, children aren’t born knowing how to be patient and anyone that has seen a little one have a meltdown because they want something will be able to attest to this. Hence, a great way to begin is by taking small steps. For instance, if your child is asking for a snack or drink, you can definitely help them but you can take your time and show them you are ‘working on it’. It’s important not to dash and give them what they need immediately after they have asked for it. And in the meanwhile, speak to your kid about what you are doing. This will show them that their request is being honoured even if it’s taking slightly longer than they expected it to. And, when you are giving them what they asked for, make sure you offer praises for patiently waiting. It’s an effective yet simple way to teach younger children to practice being patient without having to put much effort into doing it.
- Take Turns
Another great strategy to teach children how to be more patient is to let them wait their turn for something interesting and fun. Remember, the best way for them to get better is with practice. For instance, if your child tends to struggle to wait for his/her turn at the slide or swings in the park, you should make more frequent trips instead of less. This will reinforce the need for them to be patient and courteous towards others. Also, by repeating it, your child will learn to cope with having to wait for their turn.
- Teach Delayed Gratification
We currently live in a world that has instant gratification at its centre so it’s important for parents to incorporate purposeful delays. Over time, this will teach children to wait for things that they want or need. For instance, if they ask you to play with them while you are in the middle of a chore, ask them to wait till you are finished. And, once you are, you can join them in whatever it is that they want you to do with them. This will allow them to see that they can wait for things that matter to them and in the end, things turn out to be just fine.
As you can see, life will present numerous learning moments that will allow you to teach your little one to be patient and wait for things that are important to them. In the long run, this will teach them to wait for their turn and give them the ability to make rational choices to obtain long-and short-term goals. And, when you start early, you can make a big difference in the quality of life that they experience as they grow older.
