Proactive Aggressors

Introduction

Parenting styles are highly dependent on children’s characteristics and their attitudes towards others. By learning from the negative example, and the instant, intermediate and long-term intervention strategies described in this section, parents will learn how to resolve proactive-aggressive behaviour problems in their own children. Teachers and social workers could also learn from these videos, and also assist parents. Furthermore, these video demonstrations will enable parents to reflect on their parenting styles and improve their communication skills with their children.

 

Negative example

• This parent focused on the importance of personal advantages.
• In response to the child’s negative behaviour, this parent scolded the child.
• This parent did not take the perspective of his child into account, which taught the child that escaping from responsibility is an appropriate way to conduct oneself.

 

Instant intervention

• Let children know the seriousness of the incident.
• Encourage children to try to understand others’ feelings and how hurtful their behaviour is to the victims.
• Assist children to learn to accept responsibility.
• Encourage children to correct their mistakes by setting a good example with one’s own behaviour.

 

Intermediate intervention

• Assist the children to develop empathy in daily life, in order to help them to understand others’ feelings and to interact positively with peers, and reduce their aggressive behaviour.

 

Long-term intervention

• Observe children’s behavioural changes closely, applaud their hard work and provide rewards to positively reinforce desirable behaviour.
• Encourage children to apply their strengths in appropriate situations and give them support for their positive changes.