Parents want their children to make good decisions, especially when it comes to their behavior.
Whether it’s avoiding risky situations, making thoughtful choices, or handling their emotions, the development of self-control plays a huge role.
Understanding how your child’s brain is still developing—especially the prefrontal cortex—can give you insight into how to support them.
Understanding the Role of the Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the area of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and understanding the consequences of actions. It helps us manage our emotions and think about the future.
However, in children and adolescents, this part of the brain is still maturing, which can affect their ability to make long-term decisions and control impulsive behavior.
As discussed in our previous blog [LINK TO BLOG], this is why adolescents might act on impulse, without fully considering how their choices will affect them later.
Creating a Foundation for Self-Control
Building a foundation of self-control for your child takes time and patience.
Since their brains are still developing they need guidance and practice to improve their decision-making skills.
By creating an environment where your child can learn about the consequences of their actions, practice self-control, and feel confident in their ability to make decisions, you are laying the groundwork for better judgment in the future.
Here are some strategies you can use to support their growth in this area:
1. Open Conversations About Choices and Consequences
It’s important to keep the lines of communication open with your children. Encourage them to talk about their decisions and why they made them.
Helping them understand the impact of their choices, both immediate and long-term, can create better decision-making in the future.
Explain how the brain is still developing and why they may sometimes struggle with impulse control. This knowledge can help them become more aware of their behavior.
2. Encourage Honesty
When children feel they can speak openly without fear of punishment, they are more likely to make responsible decisions.
Make it clear that honesty is valued in your home, and that sharing mistakes helps to learn and grow.
This open environment helps them develop a sense of accountability and improves their ability to assess situations thoughtfully.
3. Build Confidence Through Independence
Allow your child to make small decisions on their own. Whether it’s choosing their clothes, managing a small allowance, or deciding how to spend their time, these small actions can help build confidence and self-control.
When children practice decision-making, they learn how to weigh options and think about the consequences before acting.
4. Model Self-Control
Children learn by example.
Show them how to manage your own impulses in everyday situations.
Whether it’s remaining calm in stressful situations or making thoughtful decisions in challenging times, your behavior sets a strong example for your child to follow.
By supporting your child’s development in these ways, you’re helping them build the self-control necessary for making better decisions as they grow older.
As we touched on earlier, understanding the science of how their brains are evolving, particularly the prefrontal cortex, helps frame why they might struggle with these skills and how to guide them through the process.
Building a foundation for self-control in your child is important, and sometimes even the best efforts can’t prevent legal trouble. If your child does get into a situation where they need a defense attorney, having a trusted professional on your side can make all the difference.
If you’re facing legal challenges and need expert guidance, contact me today. I’m here to help.