Setting Limits: 10 Rules Of Conduct For Children
In today’s article, find some guidelines or rules of conduct for children and learn why it is important to set boundaries.
Being a parent is much more than just bringing a child into the world and taking care of its basic needs. Humans have to be part of a society and therefore have to adhere to certain rules of conduct that help them to mature and develop.
This implies a certain amount of harmony and coexistence. To achieve this, it is important to establish norms of behavior. These should be learned from an early age.
In order for our little ones to grow into responsible, social and tolerant people , certain limits must be adhered to.
These limits serve as a reference for children to remember. They help them to find their way in their growth and development.
The importance of rules of conduct for children
Establishing a code of conduct can sometimes be a challenge. However, it has both short-term and long-term benefits. In addition, it helps children develop as people and integrate into their surroundings.
These norms give children a certain feeling of security. Knowing what they can and cannot do and how to adapt to certain situations gives them peace of mind when it comes to taking action. This is especially true when combined with a household routine.
These behavioral guidelines also give your children the opportunity to differentiate between right and wrong and to develop their own values.
All of this will enable your children to adjust to new situations better as they have clear basic pointers. Your children learn to deal appropriately with different situations and scenarios. Their behavior is always based on respect and tolerance.
Tips in setting rules of conduct for children
The education of a child takes time. Therefore, it is important to remember that the rules we set do not change our child’s behavior overnight.
Patience is a must. Try not to be too strict or get angry easily if you can’t see results right away.
By leading our children gently and with perseverance, we will teach them what to do and what not to do. And with that we give them inner peace and self-confidence.
Here are some specific suggestions for creating rules of conduct for children:
- There is no need to lay down rules for every little thing. Children need boundaries, but they also need space to explore, experiment and develop.
- The boundaries should adapt to each child. Make sure your child can meet and respect the expectations you have set.
- The rules should be fair and consistent. Likewise, they should be based on the needs of each child. In addition, you should also keep an eye on your own behavior. If there is a contradiction between your own attitudes and what you expect your child to be, the rules will only be confusing for your child.
- The rules should also be easy to understand and always expressed positively. Saying “no” to everything can be exhausting for everyone involved. Rather, emphasize the positive part of the boundaries. Instead of telling your children what not to do, explain what to do.
- Be clear about the consequences. Your children should clearly understand the rules and the positive or negative consequences of their behavior.
10 rules of conduct for the home
We can set a variety of rules regarding the behavior we expect from our children. However, more than anything, the guidelines we choose depend on our own children.
So don’t forget to always adapt your rules to the abilities of your children.
The boundaries you set should also be adapted to different environments. This allows you to set specific and different rules for class, extracurricular activities, trips, home, and so on.
The aim of these norms is to help your child adapt to any new environment. Below is a list of specific rules of conduct for children that you can set at home.
1. Say hello and goodbye
By teaching your child to greet others when they arrive or say goodbye, you are showing him or her that every person they interact with is important.
2. Always speak respectfully and listen carefully
Good communication requires that we express ourselves appropriately, but also listen to the other side. When your child understands this, they will hold the key to good communication in their hand.
3. Avoid using vulgar language
This rule has to do with the previous one, and parents must lead by example. Because the little ones pick up insults and bad words immediately.
4. Eat decent and without complaint
It’s not just about maintaining a certain serenity at the table. It’s also about not allowing your children to play with their food or rejecting the food they serve. However, this is a very open rule. So be more specific depending on the needs of your own family.
5. Keep toys tidy and tidy
Every child is responsible for their own property. Your children need to be aware that they cannot leave their belongings anywhere in the house as it can be dangerous.
6. Help with household chores
Make sure to consider each child’s abilities when doing this. You can break this rule down into specific tasks, with each task being given an appropriate reward.
7. No wasting resources
Make the most of housewares, turn off the faucet, turn off the lights when you leave a room, turn off the television when you are done, etc. Your children are not only learning to run the family’s economy, but also for the environment.
8. Carefully close the doors
Slamming doors not only makes a loud and annoying noise. The doors can also break.
9. Say “Please” when you ask about something
This rule also has to do with respect. Children should learn to ask about things politely instead of just getting their own way. A request also goes hand in hand with saying “thank you” when you receive something.
10. Say “Sorry”
If we know we did something wrong, we should recognize the crime and apologize accordingly. A good way to teach these to your child is to mitigate the consequences of admitting and realizing what they did wrong.
The most important thing is that over time your children learn that the rules of conduct are not just pointless ordinances. Rather, these norms focus on your child’s well-being and the ability to conduct yourself in society.
