How To Meet Individual Needs For Each Child
Camille Ho / Monday, December 20th, 2010 / No Comments »
Every mom knows that each one of her children are different. Some children pitch temper tantrums the moment that someone else even thinks about touching their toys. Other kids will forget about the toy-stealer and move on right away. Whatever the case may be, it is important to realize that children have different personalities, and along with this comes the need to “customize” the rules in order to fit the child.
Although many parents feel that it is important to treat each child fairly, this doesn’t mean that each child must be treated equally. Each child is an individual, and as such, has needs and wants that differ from other children. Trying to lump kids together and make them fit into the same mold will not work, and will most likely cause more strife than in the first place. It’s important for parents to make sure that they take the time to identify the individual needs of each child, as this will help when trying to customize discipline and order around the house.
For many children, scheduling is one area where different personalities will dictate different needs. Some children are relaxed and easy-going, simply happy to be along for the ride. However, other children need structure and a strict schedule in order to let them know where they are at in their day. It’s important to recognize which personality a child has, and then mold their schedule to fit their needs.
Another area of strife can occur when different temperaments flare up. For many children, temper tantrums are the norm, and they are extremely headstrong about anything they put their mind to. However, other children are cautious and will rarely test the waters without prior approval from a parent. When different tempers flare up, it’s important to recognize that discipline techniques for one may not work for the other. Some kids will sit in time out and not dare to venture out until they’re given a hug and released. Other children will protest the entire time, and only stay put if someone sits there with them. Unfortunately, this is one area that parents simply have to try different techniques for each child—some may need stronger discipline than others, and that is quite normal.
In the end, the most important thing for parents is to make sure that they are not playing favorites and placing one child above the other. Although the methods may be different, it is important to emphasize the fact that the love and respect for each person is equal. Parents should ensure that they find the good qualities in each child and praise those, rather than trying to compare between siblings. It takes some work to figure out the nuances of each child, but the results are well worth it in the end.