Caring for Kids – Canadian Paediatric Society

First Words

Invest in Kids

KidsHealth for Parents

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Ontario Early Years Centres

Understanding and Guiding Children’s Behaviours

Parenting has many rewards and frustrations. Coping with children’s behaviours can be challenging, especially when parents are busy, stressed or tired. While it is true that all children are different, they do go through predictable stages of growth and development at different ages that impact on their behaviours. Awareness of these developmental stages helps parents anticipate various behaviours, as well as identify positive parenting responses.

Children need their parents to teach and guide them in order to learn to behave appropriately. Parents often experience difficulties with discipline. Many believe that discipline is about getting children to do what they want or making them behave. Rather, it is important for parents to recognize that their role is to teach and guide their children’s behaviours. Positive parenting leaves children feeling good about themselves, demonstrating self-control, and taking responsibility for their behaviours.