Our children are sponges

When a behaviour occurs, it has not just appeared, and they are not to blame. This behaviour has been taught, they have seen it. 

As parents we find it challenging to accept that this behaviour may possibly have come from us. Has your child ever made a face, a sound, a remark that bothers you, but then you realize they learned it from you? Haha. Same goes for behaviour, for learned reactions and responses.

As parents we must observe our children's environments and see where the unwanted behaviour could be coming from. Your child refusing to speak to you? You're not alone.

There are ways to try new things without knowing the root of the concern with your child, promise.

We can start by simply observing our childs surroundings, week by week, and speaking openly to the adults that have the chance to interact with them. Then we can question, if it's not us who they are learning the behaviour from, then is it an uncle or aunt? Maybe it's their daycare environment or a particular peer at school. 

Your child may also just need a support, a new person to trust and speak to. Or maybe they will thrive with an extra curricular activity that is theirs and belongs to them, where they can flourish and strive for confidence and simple joy.

The needs will constantly be changing as your child grows. One magic tool of mine, believe it or not, is stickers! Children love them! My two boys are 10 and 5 years of age, and they both find them rewarding. Especially when they are used to fill a chart that may help them earn a bit of a reward.

What's your magic tool that you have used in the past with your child?