Impulse control can be challenging, but it can also be a great developmental benefit for children, especially younger ones. Controlling impulsivity is a vital skill that can be fostered and improved at any age. This is important as a lack of impulse control is at the root of many behavior problems. Without effective intervention, impulsive behaviors can normalize, become habitual, and worsen over time.
For example, impulsive 5-year-olds may hit or throw tantrums when they don't get their way. While impulsive 14-year-olds can share inappropriate content on social networks or engage in risky behaviors such as drinking alcohol without thinking about the consequences that this may have on their future. With patience and communication these behaviors can be modified., significantly improving their future.
How to treat impulsive children?
One of the jobs of parents of impulsive children is to help their children learn how to improve your impulse control as you grow older. In fact, studies show that interventions to improve impulse control can be very helpful in strengthening executive function skills.
On the other hand, research also shows that poor impulse control is linked to poor decision-making and the development of mental health conditions. Therefore, the more impulse control your child gains, the less likely he is to do or say something that could harm others and himself, and the more likely he is to have positive mental health.
Teach your children to label feelings
Children who do not understand or do not know how to communicate their emotions effectively are more likely to be impulsive. A child who cannot say “I am angry” may hit something to show that he is angry. Or a child who cannot verbalize sadness may drop to the ground and scream.
The main thing is to teach your child to acknowledge your emotions so he can tell you how he feels, instead of showing it to you. For it, start by teaching your child how to label emotions, such as anger, sadness, excitement, surprise, worry, or fear. Once he understands these abstract concepts, or some of them, talk to him about the difference between feelings and behavior.
Make sure he knows it's okay to feel angry, but it's not okay to hit or yell at someone when you feel that emotion. If you feel heard and supported when you speak honestly about your emotions, you are less likely to feel the need to prove them with facts.
Ask your child to repeat what you command
Children often behave impulsively because they don't listen to the instructions you give them, especially if the child in question has ADHD. So it is important that you make sure that they are listening to you because otherwise they will act without having heard anything you have said. Therefore, when you send him something, ask him to repeat what you have sent him before he does anything else. Once you have verified that he has indeed listened to you, you can get going. If, on the other hand, he hadn't listened to you, arm yourself with patience and repeat it again.
So that it is not difficult for him to understand you, try to give simple, easy-to-follow instructions with as few steps as possible. If they are more complex tasks, you can make a written list so that you can follow it without getting lost, because it could easily get lost in other things.
Teach him anger management skills
Low tolerance for frustration can cause impulsive outbursts. Therefore, teach your child skills to control the wrath can help you deal with your emotions in healthy ways. Strategies like taking a few deep breaths or walking around the house to burn off energy can be very helpful. It is better to teach children how to calm down so that they can make more correct decisions before acting impulsively.