There are diverse learners in our classrooms, and all of them have variety in their needs, behaviourand attitudes. We, have one set of children who are called the Strong-willed kids. There are two perspectives to the termstrong-willed. One set of society thinks that they are stubborn, high-spirited, have self-obsession andare mannerless. You might have seen some children arguing and expressing their strong opinion with their parents over matters which we think are avoidable. People label them as those who are ‘tough children’, ‘always practising their will’ and ‘never listening to others.’

The other set thinks that these children are passionate, are people of integrity and given time, have the courage and ability to become strong future Leaders. The strong-willed kids always make their opinion known and have strong sense of right and wrong. Also Read About Top 10 Preschool In India

In order to parent these kids, which is explicitly very hard, we need to incorporate a few strategies which parents generally think of and discuss amongst each other and psychologists also recommend to the parents of a strong willed child.These children need to be taught social skills and essential skills of negotiation and compromise.

The good part is that, they already know about individuality and assertiveness, but not gelling with others and taking their opinion and forming community relationships is hence a task for them.Preschools can take this into their hands with the help of parents to establish this habit and social skills in them, as there they aren’t alone and a collaborative set-up is created. If not, it should be done. At Junior Delhi School facilitators are made to understand the child’s nature and manage it with several techniques to manage their classroom and make it efficient to meet the needs of variety in children.

As parents, we should understand how they think and behave and hence need to make them feel that Parents are not against them but just have a different opinion. We must make them feel understood and that their point is considered. The continuous power struggle between parents and the strong-willed child makes their conversation often tiring and exhaustive. It is recommended that to have a better relationship, the parents need to connect with their children better.

These children really don’t get along well with the idea of submitting to others’opinions but are okay with choosing between the options provided. So, to do the task easily, we can give them authority over things that they can control and choose and are age-appropriate for them.

It is often said that these children should be disciplined through cordial relationships and never through Punishment as it can make them develop negative feelings and affect their relationships with others. The focus is hence on Problem-Solving, not punishment. We as parents should think of leaning into the child's difficult behaviour and not get away with it harshly and promptly as it won’t be of much help in the long run.

Psychologists recommend a parenting tip which suggests that parents and teachers of strong-willed kids should convey respect and empathy towards them, better if rules are kept to a minimum but defining limitsfor the child is important. Labelling the kids be theystrong-willed or any child does no good for their Self-esteem. Also, using words in front of them like ‘You are bad’, and ‘Argumentative and defiant child’ hardly holds any significance to them rather it makes them more of such. They imbibe it and may think negatively about themselves and others.

Also, having Routines and Consistency is a useful Guardrail for keeping Strong-Willed from going off the track.Once they know what is to be done and they consistently do it with purpose and understanding of the choice of task, they do it without questioning and a further strong will. We can better communicate with them as they seek it more than other children.

Giving a simple reason for it, mentioning and discussing WHY and taking their perspective, makes the day quite sorted. By giving them a little control over things we can let them exercise their will and control even if a little in certain things, would make them Independent as they do wish to have that in them. But equally important is for them to understand that not everything goes as per their will and control and categorically and discretely emphasising their part of control in consonance with others in the group/community is conducive for all.