Child Abuse Prevention Council

of Montgomery County, Inc.

1. Have your child sit on a chair for the same number of minutes as his or her age. Put the chair in a safe place, boring place.

2. Hold a screaming child firmly but gently on your lap until he or she calms down.

3. If your child breaks a toy by playing roughly, do not replace it. The child will learn for the next time.

4. Take away watching TV, or playing outside, or talking on the phone.

5. Move a young child away from unsafe things. Give him or her a safe toy.

6. Give choices you can live with. "You can set the table , and play outside later, or, NOT set the table, and NOT play outside later."

7. Children sometimes act up just to get attention. Don't give in to them. Ignore that kind of behavior unless your child might get hurt.

8. Tell your child that you are disappointed or angry with his behavior, not with him as a person.

9. Practice what you preach. Children will follow your example.

10. Expect to see good behavior, and you are more likely to get it.

11. Work together to write down family rules. Put them where everybody can see them.

12. Say good things too. Children need to know what they are doing right, not just what they are doing wrong.