The Bobo Doll Experiment Helps Mums and Dads Behave!
Alright, imagine this—you’re in a room with a big, bouncy clown doll (that’s the Bobo Doll). Now, let’s say your kid is right next to you and sees a grown-up walk in and start whacking it—punching, kicking, even shouting at it. Then the person justs walk away like nothing happened.
Now, it’s your kids turn in the room. What do you think your kid will do? Play nicely? Or maybe give Bobo a little punch or two, just like the grown-up did?
That’s exactly what happened in a famous experiment by a man named Albert Bandura in the 1960s. He wanted to see if children would copy what they saw. And guess what? They did! The kids who watched the adult being rough with the doll were more likely to hit it too. But the kids who didn’t see the adult attack Bobo were much gentler.
What does this mean? It means that children learn by watching adults—even when the adults don’t realise it! If a child sees a grown-up being aggressive, they might think, “Oh! That must be how we’re supposed to act!”
How Can Parents Avoid Raising a Little Boxer?
Now, if you’re a parent and don’t fancy your child drop-kicking the family dog, here are some practical tips:
1. Watch Your Reactions (Even to Spilled Tea!)
If you drop your tea and start shouting, “Oh, for crying out loud!” your child might learn to overreact too. Instead, try a calm, “Oops! Looks like I need to clean that up.” Your child will copythat instead.
2. No Shouting at the TV During Football
Your kid doesn’t know the difference between “that referee is an absolute disgrace” and you yelling at them. If you must express your frustration, try saying, “Oh dear, what an unfortunate decision, let’s hope they do better!” (Okay, that might be a stretch, but worth a try!)
3. Show Problem-Solving, Not Punching
If you argue with someone, show your child how to sort it out properly. Instead of, “I’m never speaking to Sarah again!”, try, “Sarah and I disagreed, but we’re going to talk about it.”
4. Give Teddy a Conflict Resolution Meeting
If your child starts hitting their toys, step in with, “Oh no! Teddy looks sad. Do you think we should find another way to show our feelings?” Make it a game—kids love games more than lectures!
5. Praise Kindness Like It’s a Superpower
If your child shares, plays gently, or solves a problem with words, make a big fuss about it. “Wow! You were so patient waiting for your turn! You’re basically a superhero of kindness.”
6. Channel Their Energy (Because Let’s Be Honest, They Have Too Much of It)
Kids need to run, jump, and even roughhouse. Instead of banning all wrestling moves, give them a safe outlet—maybe a punching pillow, a karate class, or a “stomp like a dinosaur” challenge to burn off frustration.
7. Keep Your Own Bobo Doll Handy (for YOU!)
Next time you’re tempted to lose your temper, whisper dramatically, “I must not turn into the Hulk. I shall squeeze this stress ball instead.” Your child will copy that way before they copy any shouting.
Final Thought: Be the Example!
Kids copy everything—the good, the bad, and the bizarre (including that weird dance you did when you stubbed your toe). So, if you want them to be kind, patient, and calm, the best thing you can do is show them how it’s done.
And if all else fails, remember: snacks and naps fix most problems—both for kids and adults. And, don’t see a football match in front of kids!
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