Teaching Your Child How to Practice Patience

Patience is one of the most popular virtues, but we’re not all born with it. Children often learn patience from the trusted adults in their lives, and even then, it can be a tough concept to fully understand. Why do we have to wait around? Why isn’t everything available right when I want it? Teaching children patience can make the quiet moments in life easier, ultimately making every moment more meaningful. Here are some ways you can help your child learn to practice patience. 

Avoid Instant Gratification

In today’s world, everything we want appears to be right at our fingertips. This can lead all of us to be a little impatient, especially children who don’t know anything different. When your child asks for a snack, have them wait a short while, and let them know how long it will be. Start with small increments, like 1-2 minutes, then consider increasing the time little by little. If they act out while waiting, start the clock over. 

Acknowledge the Difficulty

Waiting can be hard, especially if it’s not for a set amount of time. For example, when you’re in a long line with your child at the grocery store, they may become antsy and begin to act out. Talk to them in the moment about how they feel, and let them know that you understand that the experience is frustrating. Compliment them when they do a good job of waiting patiently and quietly. 

Work on Waiting Strategies

There’s nothing worse to a child than standing around doing nothing. Work with your child on building strategies that make waiting easier. Relaxing breathing techniques can help when the wait time is unknown. If there’s a clear amount of time you’ll spend waiting, find a way to pass the time, like playing a guessing game together. Eventually, your child will figure out how to pass the time on their own.

Model Patience for Your Child

The most important way to encourage patience in your child is to be patient. Show your child what waiting patiently looks like, whether you’re in a long checkout line, rush hour traffic or at a restaurant where the food takes a little longer than you expect. Tell your child about times you haven’t been patient and it’s come back to haunt you. If your child sees that it’s better to be patient, they’ll try harder to do so themselves. 

At our Titusville Catholic school, we see patience as one of the most important virtues. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop their full potential. Teachers foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and equip students for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.