Four Steps

The Know-It-All

I.	Behavior
II.	Effects
III.	Action
IV.	Mistakes

« Behavior List

Related Behaviors

•	The Intellectual Show-Off
•	The Last Worder
•	The Snob
•	The Talker

Recently Viewed Behaviors

1.	The Know-It-All
2.	The Foulmouth
3.	The Disorganized
4.	The Hyperactive
5.	The Irresponsible
6.	The "Idiot" Syndrome
7.	The Goldbrick
8.	The Blurter
9.	The Chiseler
10.	The Goer

Instructions

Learn more about using this resource:

Introduction
I.	Behavior
II.	Effects
III.	Action
	Primary Causes of Misbehavior
	Primary Needs Being Revealed
	Secondary Needs Being Revealed
	Methods, Procedures, and Techniques
IV.	Mistakes

Behavior Information

The Know-It-All

Mistakes: What common discipline mistakes of parents may make the problem behavior worse?

1. Ignoring this child completely.
   
   
2. Reacting sarcastically or reacting competitively with the know-it-all child.
   
   
3. Trying to play other children against him or her.
   
   
4. Allowing this child to dominate situations.
   
   
5. Feeling a sense of inferiority and displaying these feelings in our reactions.
   
   
6. Attempting to put the know-it-all in one slot and failing to realize that there are many kinds of know-it-alls.
   
   
7. Failing to realize that this child really may "know it all," but just doesn't know how to relate to people.
   
   
8. Failing to use this child as a resource.
   
   
9. Trying to show this child that he or she doesn't have all the answers. If the know-it-all is actually covering up a fear that he or she doesn't know enough, such an approach only proves to the child that his or her fear is justified, and thus increases rather than eliminates the fear. Instead, counsel the child and help him or her take a more realistic view.
   
   

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Please Note

We are labeling behaviors, not children!

For the sake of convenience, we will describe behaviors with terms such as The Whiner or The Interrupter.

Never use such labels when talking to—or about—children!

Doing so could cause many new problems and seriously damage the parent-child relationship.

Seek professional assistance!

Many behaviors--or changes in behavior--can signal an underlying emotional or mental health issue.

Don't hesitate to contact your child's school social worker, counselor, or doctor for any concerns you may have.

Contact Us

We welcome your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact us.

In the event that you have questions regarding how to handle a specific child's behavior, please seek professional assistance.