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19 Parents’ Guide to Selecting Quality Child Care | TIPS FOR DEALING WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR It’s natural to feel frustrated or angry when a child misbehaves. When these feelings arise, consider the following tips: • Never shake a baby. Shaking a child, especially a baby, can cause serious harm. • Don’t discipline out of anger. Step away from the situation to cool off before reacting:

- Take a few deep breaths and count to 10.

- Call a friend or family member for support.

- Punch a pillow to release frustration in a healthy way.

- Take a short walk or change your environment to reset. • Be consistent with your discipline. Children respond well to clear and consistent boundaries. • Be fair and realistic with consequences. Let the punishment fit the behavior, ensuring it is appropriate and proportionate. • Avoid physical discipline. Hitting, spanking, or slapping are not effective or healthy ways to manage behavior. • Avoid comparing children to one another or to other kids. Every child is unique and deserves to be treated individually. • Encourage your child to talk through their feelings. Listening helps build trust and understanding. • Praise your child when they do something positive. Reinforcing good behavior helps shape future actions • Show love and affection to remind your child that discipline comes from care, not anger. • Remember—you are the adult. Model calm, controlled behavior, even in tough situations. • Seek help if needed. It’s okay to reach out for support—everyone needs a little help at times! These strategies can help you manage challenging behavior while fostering a positive, respectful relationship with your child. TIPS