How to actively ignore.

In Parent Child Interaction Therapy, parents learn to actively ignore inappropriate or irritating behavior that isn't destructive or dangerous - things like sassing, sulking, lying, stubbornness, selfishness, whining, arguing, not sharing toys, refusing to play and showing off.

Parents are instructed to tell the child that she will be ignored if the unwanted behavior continues, and to explain what behavior they want to see before they will speak or play with the child again.

Here are the strategies for actively ignoring:

_Stay silent. Turn your eyes away. Play with something else. Keep a blank expression. Make your play really fun so the child will …