A challenging part of being a parent is teaching children to behave properly.

There are several ways for parents to create good behavior in children. Research shows the most important is by setting a good example.

Angela Shaw from the Morning- side Day Care in Woolwich says, Be consistent and repetitious when teaching manners, set an example, children learn from older children and adults.

Children should be praised when they show good manners, Shaw said, and they should be aware there are consequences when they do not use good manners.

Children should be told what is expected of them before they go to a restaurant or a mall, Shaw said. Let them know what the consequences are for their behavior.

Be consistent with discipline and dont give in, she said. Dont make a rule you cant live with. If you say you are going to do something, follow through with it, Shaw said.

Shaw has been caring for children for the past eleven years. She begins her training with children from two years and up.

The principal of the Edgecomb Eddy School Joanne Krawic was asked what their expectations of childrens behavior is. We expect them to sit and listen, Krawic said. We follow the Three Rs, Respect, Response and Reflection.

We have to teach the children what is expected of them in school, Krawic said.

The principal of the Woolwich Central School Tom Soule said, We are respectful, helpful and polite to each other.

The school enforces that type of behavior, Soule said.

The Woolwich Central School recognizes students quarterly who show good citizenship, concern and caring for one another, through recognition awards.

According to research on childrens behavior, children are more likely to be well-behaved if parents offer encouragement.

Parents should include children in the process of making family rules. Involve children in discussions on family rules covering homework time, bed time, TV time and curfews. Children may be more responsive to rules they help create.

It is important to praise children when they follow family rules -- a few kind words such as, good job or thank you to show children that the parents do notice when they are behaving correctly.

Childrens behavior is governed by several other elements other than the parents: grandparents, siblings, nursery school teachers, baby-sitters, Sunday school teachers, ministers, doctors, and school teachers.

Television and movies can even play a role in a childs behavior.

We get kids that have been at school all day, said Lisa Brewer, assistant program director at the Wiscasset Community. Theres a different set of standards there. We try to be a little more relaxed but we still have our own expectations.

We expect (kids) to treat people and property with respect. Kids are kids and we expect certain things.

Brewer said some of the problems the center deals with are kids hanging from the basketball rims, spraying water in the locker rooms or just being a distraction to other members by fooling around.

We have a great bunch of kids. Weve really had very few incidents. If I (or another center employee) speak with a child once, we rarely have to speak to them again.

Brewer said that in certain cases, like with the Summer Camp program, participants sign behavior contracts.

The contract is signed by both child and parent. Even if the child doesnt read the whole contract, Brewer said, it is a handy tool to have when talking to a child about misbehavior.

Brewer said the center uses a three strikes and youre out policy and children who put themselves or others at risk are not tolerated.