• Get into a routine. Doing the same things over and over every day teaches your children good behavior.
• Make a few rules. Then stick by them. Children need, and want, to know what's expected of them.
• Notice when your children do something right, and praise them for it. Think about giving them a reward, such as extra playtime or a special outing.
• Let your children make some choices. For example, ask them if they want grapes or an apple for a snack. That's how they learn to make decisions.

• Avoid telling your children that they are bad. Point out that what they are doing is not okay.
• Stop unwanted behavior and show what is okay to do. For example, Tony is coloring on the wall. Stop him. Give him some paper. Tell him it is okay to color on paper, Not walls.
• Let children learn from their mistakes. Jimmy left his softball glove outside. The next day it's missing so he has to play without it.
• Take away favorite privileges. Erin can watch TV only after she does her homework. If she watches TV right after school, she can't watch TV the next day.
• Have your child take a timeout. Kyle is 4 and keeps hitting his cousin even when told to stop. Tell him it is not okay to hit. Sit him on a chair in a safe place for 4 minutes (or until he calms down).

When your child is doing something you don't like, ask yourself if what you're planning to do will:

• Change your child's behavior
• Teach your child what to do next time.