Before we look at what works with children or students, let’s look at what doesn’t work. What guidance strategies don’t work with children or students?
Ineffective, Inappropriate and Unacceptable Guidance Strategies
- Counting “1, 2, 3 . . . “
- Repeating
- Yelling
- Threats, usually overstated
- Bribes
- Sarcasm
- Inconsistency
- Belittling
- Withholding love and affection
- Silent treatment
- Controlling through shame or guilt
- Forcing promise from child
- Acting like a child or student. Remember, you are the adult!
If you’re like most parents or educators you’ve tried some of these to no avail. You’ve probably discovered that they are ineffective and don’t work. Why do we keep doing what doesn’t work?
Letting go of ineffective strategies
It’s what we know. It could be how we were raised as children or how we’re raising our own children. How ever we came about using ineffective strategies, we need to stop. What ineffective, inappropriate or unacceptable guidance strategies do you use?
But it is hard to stop doing something unless you have something to replace it with. In the next 13 blog posts you’ll learn to replace these ineffective strategies with guidance strategies that work. You’ll learn ten prevention strategies and three intervention strategies which equals a baker’s dozen.
Image source: megaphone [commons.wikimedia.org]