Do you need suggestions to teach your child patience?
Patience is a biblical virtue you must teach your child. Your child is not naturally patient, and neither are adults. But patience can be learned, and here are 3 ways to teach your child patience.
3 Ways to Teach Your Child Patience
3 Ways to Teach Your Child PatienceDepending on your child’s age, you can use these techniques to teach your child patience. Be persistent and consistent in these areas, and you will see your child becoming more patient over time.
1. Use rewards.
We all love rewards, and children are no exceptions. Perhaps the easiest way for even young children to learn patience is through rewards. Before going into a big store with your child, tell him he can visit the toy section if he is well-behaved while you shop for groceries. Tell your daughter that she can have a treat if she does not whine or cry while waiting in the doctor’s office. There are many situations like these when you can make a teachable moment for your child. For this method to work, you must not reward your child unless they wait with patience. Don’t cave in, and don’t get angry. If your child can’t wait, simply say, “We’ll try again next time.” Your child will start to associate patience with good things if you teach your child patience with consistency. With that being said, it is vital to remember that children need to learn how to be patient not because they are getting a reward. We want our children to have a heart that desires to do what is right. They need to learn to be patient because it is the right thing to do.
2. Encourage creativity during waiting.
Waiting doesn’t have to be boring. Your child will enjoy being patient if she learns to use her imagination. Rather than handing her a device to keep her quiet, teach your child patience by playing an I-Spy game while waiting. If she’s outside, help her find pictures in the clouds, or point out items in nature. If you encourage your child to use his imagination while he has to wait, he won’t be so impatient. He’ll see that time as an opportunity to grow rather than an obstacle to overcome.
3. Use a countdown calendar for holidays.
Children love countdowns. Make paper chain countdowns toward Easter, Christmas, birthdays or any other holiday your family enjoys. Talk about how we must be patient while we wait for that exciting day to arrive. Then celebrate with a special treat or activity on the final countdown day. Through this technique, your child will see that times of waiting can be exciting and fun. He or she may associate these feelings with patience and have a positive experience.
Why It’s Important to Teach Your Child Patience
Our world is fast-paced, and attention spans are shortening every day. It’s becoming harder to be patient when we can have so many things on demand. Yet patience is a highly regarded virtue in the Bible, one that God wants to cultivate in us. It’s important that you teach your child patience in keeping with godly virtues. If your child grows to be a patient adult in an impatient culture, think of the impact he or she can make someday in contrast to peers! Their patience may make others curious about Christ.
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