A child is a beam of sunlight from the Infinite and Eternal, with possibilities of virtue and vice- but as yet unstained. – Lyman Abbott

Children are the most beautiful creations of life. They create magic around people. The very glance of a child can bring smiles to people’s faces. Such is the beauty of being a child. Well, this is not completely true at all times. There are times when the child looks and demands for certain things. They are of the opinion that throwing tantrums can get them what they want. Parents often find it difficult to control their kids.

One of the important jobs of being a parent is to inculcate good habits in their children. Self-control is just one of them, which has to be taught from early childhood. A child must be taught to express his/her feelings openly, without a temper change, throwing things, biting or hitting. As a parent, one must realize that self-control will not only help the child while growing up, but also help them become more sensitive and aware of their surroundings, peers and parents.

A few tips to help the child learn the art of self-control are given below.

1. Language: Establish simple rules which the child can understand clearly. Let your child know that talking is the only means of communication that you believe in and throwing tantrums, biting and hitting are not accepted.

2. Encourage the child to find a positive method to release a negative thought/feeling. Many children like drawing, painting, stacking, which you can use, to teach the method for venting out their feelings. This will help the child in realizing the situation and also develop self-control.

3. Make it a point to tell the child the consequences of a rough behaviour. The child must know what will happen if he/she throws tantrums. Only then will the child learn to control their emotions.

4. Children like to be lead. They follow their parents in most of the aspects, from eating habits, talking etc. So, if you can show them that you are in control of your feelings, they will also learn by it.

5. Children must be able to recognise their feelings, be it positive or negative. Once they are able to do this, it becomes easier for you to train them to control themselves.

6. Enroll the child to different courses, which ask for self-control, such as karate, music, dance etc. This will automatically inculcate the self-control behaviour in them.

As a parent, this is not an easy task. If you are able to communicate well with the child, understand his/her needs and make them understand the situation, I think, it is easy to inculcate self-control behaviour.