This tip brought to you by our Dad Guru John Valadez
on Feb 26, 2010
Yelling is a violent expression. Whether your intention is to just get someone’s attention or wanting to be heard, people associate yelling with violence. If one knows a child’s mind is guided by instinct, then every time you yell at them they think you are being violent.
So, does it really make sense to yell at a child?
Does a parent want their child to associate Dad with being violent? I’m guessing most parents do not. How would you feel if a twenty foot man was yelling at you? You’d probably not hear a word he was saying, just wishing he would stop and go away with you unharmed. Yelling does not make a good listening situation, which is probably all parents want their child to do? Just listen.
Eye level is important when dealing with people. Try kneeling, sitting or crouching down below or at a child’s eye level when addressing them; don’t intimidate a child by bending over them, try kneeling, crouching or sitting by their side. You are less intimidating when presenting children as their equal. Try talking in a calm tone to reason with children. Every child wants to behave and be loved. When a child misbehaves what they really want is love, not attention.
