Role of parents
Parents and carers play a significant role in a child’s social and moral development. Warm and sympathetic parenting, with clear boundary setting seems to result in children with increased prosocial behaviour.
This is also affected by how the parent encourages and praises prosocial behaviour rather than simply reprimanding negative behaviour. Explaining why a behaviour is good or bad such as “When you snatch Emma’s toy it upsets her.” instead of "You shouldn’t snatch toys!" also appears to be supportive. Other successful techniques include role modelling and intentionally looking for opportunities to let the child show selfless behaviours, such as helping to prepare food.
Culture will also affect prosocial behaviour. Cultures in which people live in groups and children are routinely involved in domestic activities as part of family life, results in children who are more altruistic when compared with societies that value individual goals over group goals and priorities.
Select all 4 pictures when they appear in this comic strip in order to see how these children are interacting.
Kyle is running around with a paper plane that James has made him. He is making a lot of noise pretending to be a plane, James laughs at his friend Kyle and encourages him in his game. Kyle likes the fact that James thinks he is funny. He likes making him laugh.
Emma is upset by the noise and puts her hands over her ears, she begins to cry. Realising that he is getting a reaction from Emma, Kyle runs faster and shouts more.
Emma’s friend Joe doesn’t want Emma to cry and tells Kyle to stop.
Kyle doesn’t stop so Joe gives Emma a cuddle and then hits out at Kyle as he runs past. James calls Joe a name and then runs to find an adult.
Select the buttons to see how you might discuss their behaviour with each member of the group.
State the problem: You like running and making a noise but that has upset Joe and Emma.
Ask a question: Where else could you play?
Try a solution: You could play with James in another area.
Redirect: Let’s all make and decorate a den together
State the problem: You’ve come to find me because Joe hit out at Kyle and then you called him a name.
Ask a question: Why do you think Joe hit out at Kyle?
Try a solution: Let’s talk to Joe and Kyle and say sorry to Joe for calling him a name.
Redirect: Let’s all make and decorate a den together
State the problem: You were upset by the noise.
Ask a question: What could you say to Kyle to stop him being so loud?
Try a solution: Offer two options, playing a quiet game or joining in with the others.
Redirect: Let’s all make and decorate a den together.
State the problem: You gave Emma a cuddle which is a nice thing to do, then hit out at Kyle which is not a good thing to do.
Ask a question: What could you say to Kyle to stop him being so loud?
Try a solution: Let’s go and talk to Kyle and James and say sorry to Kyle.
Redirect: Let’s all make and decorate a den together.