I was a behavior specialist for our school district for 10 years before I needed a break and have now been doing daycare for almost 2 years.

The key is very easy.

1. Focus on the positive and ignore the negative as much as possible. If you have a kid being naughty find a kid that is being good and reward the kid being good. If a kid won't do what you want (sitting in timeout, cleaning up etc) offer painting or play doh to all the other kids. When the naughty kids tries to paint tell him no, he can participate as soon as he is done with what ever you asked him to do.

2. Reward baby steps. If the kid usually throws things during his temper tantrum and this time he only throws himself on the floor kicking and screaming, when he is done give him a high five because the did not throw anything. Make a big deal about it.

The hardest part is for you to remain calm, do not raise your voice and to ignore the negative behavior. Honest, this works every time. Sometime I have to get creative with my rewards. Find the one thing that the kid loves and use it.

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