Setting Limits and Building Confidence

Consistent limits help children feel secure and help them learn what is and is not appropriate behavior. As parents, you need to set limits for your children. Here are some suggested approaches to doing so.

• Let your child know when you notice his or her good behavior with a hug or verbal praise, which says you are pleased with the behavior.
  
  
• Whenever you can, praise your child for behaving the way you want. When she misbehaves, remember that you can't change everything at once. Try to change only one behavior at a time and be consistent in disciplining her. Ignoring one kind of bad behavior sometimes and scolding at other times will confuse your child about what is acceptable.
  
  
• Make rules clear, simple, and state them in a positive way. Tell your child ahead of time what the rules are for a particular situation. Be aware of what can be reasonably expected of a child at a given age.
  
  
• Provide your child with challenges and opportunities to solve problems, but try not to give him more responsibility than he can handle.
  
  
• Ask your child's opinions and let him or her know they matter.
  
  
• Acknowledge every success, no matter how small. This kind of recognition will increase your child's sense of being capable.

Learn more in Building Blocks: Foundations for Learning for Young Blind and Visually Impaired Children, by Betty Dominguez and Joe Dominguez.