As a parent, I’ve found that teaching impulse control and conflict resolution is a journey that requires a lot of patience. One method that worked for us was using simple stories or role-play scenarios to illustrate what better choices look like. For example, we’d pretend to be in a situation where someone wants the same toy, and we’d practice asking nicely or waiting our turn. It also helps to celebrate small wins—when my child successfully handled a tricky moment, I’d give them a high-five or say, “I’m so proud of how you handled that!” It’s amazing to see the gradual shift as they start using these strategies on their own.
As a parent of a 5-year-old, we practiced social scenarios at home. I would role-play as another child, and we would talk about how to introduce themselves or ask someone to play. This practice gave her the tools to approach kids at school more confidently.
