It is important to select age-appropriate goals for children who are learning self-control. Try simple goals first, where success is expected, one goal at a time.
For preschool children, appropriate goals might include not interrupting or not fighting with siblings. For early elementary school children, appropriate goals might include complying with bedtime rules or showing anger appropriately
(instead of hitting or screaming). Some general strategies that often help children learn appropriate self-control behaviors include:
• Take a break: Encourage children to “take a break” or a “time out” from a situation where they are feeling angry or upset.
• Teach and provide attention: Children can learn to resist interrupting others by learning how to observe when others are not talking, so that they can join in appropriately. Be sure to provide children with attention at appropriate times so that they are not “starved” for attention and more likely to interrupt inappropriately. • Use appropriate rewards: Children need