As children get older, peer pressure tends to get in the way of their performance in school and everyday life too. Why is that? Because by the time a child turns 7, they start thinking and caring about what other children think of them. And often, they begin caring less about what adults around them think.
It typically happens as children that are looking to get the approval of their peers tends to become more popular. However, these are the same children that also take part in different types of risky behaviour such as cheating in class, drinking alcohol from a young age and even shoplifting among other things. And, these can all send them on a downward spiral that keeps them from focusing on things that matter.
Do you suspect your child is under peer pressure and behaving in a way they don’t normally do? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Take a look at some tips on how you can help your child resist peer pressure, compiled by one of the best CBSE schools in Kolkata.
How to Help Your Child Deal with Peer Pressure
As a parent, you should do everything you can to help your child tackle peer pressure and ensure they make good choices in life.
- Teach Them How to Recognize it
As your child moves into adolescence, they need to understand what peer pressure is and what it looks like. So, parents should teach them that peer pressure is when someone like one or a group of friends encourages one another or someone to cross a line that they shouldn’t. And, most of these children succeed by pushing others with their words such as wearing someone down by nudging them to do something, pressuring others with threats and often cutting all ties with the one they are pressuring. However, children should understand that this type of behaviour shouldn’t be encouraged and even if they think they might end up hurting someone, they shouldn’t give in.
- Don’t Overreact
If your child comes up to you and discusses what their friends might be doing or asking them to do, there’s a possibility that you may hear things that might upset you. However, it’s important not to overreact as this will teach your child to refrain from bringing up these issues again. It’s vital to stay as calm as possible and not to start lecturing, yelling or blaming them for anything. Instead, use these conversations to teach your child about the consequences they will most likely have to face when displaying risky behaviour.
- Discuss Effective Responses
When children don’t know how to react to peer pressure they may react too quickly and give in, not knowing what else they should do. This is why parents should recommend different ways in which they can come out of situations, especially if they feel uneasy. The best CBSE schools in Kolkata teach students to think about thoughtful responses instead of reacting to anything. And, they recommend suggesting alternatives on how children can avoid behaviours they deem inappropriate. For instance, if a child is being pressured into skipping school, they can suggest to their peers to meet directly after school and discuss the idea of including more friends. And, it’s always better for children to avoid justifying and/or explaining their refusal as it may lead to more arguing and pressure on them. Moreover, when necessary, children should know how to say “no” to their peer requests too.
The best CBSE schools in Kolkata understand that peer pressure is real, but it’s not impossible for children to effectively deal with it. By following the tips mentioned in this blog, you will help your children spot peer pressure and know how to respond to it as well. And, by mastering these tips, you will enable your child to set out on the right path from a young age.
