"Do as you would be done by". The child will not give your more consideration, politeness and cooperation than you give him.
Good behaviour should be rewarded and bad behaviour not - sounds obvious but not that easy to do. e.g. buying a child sweets to stop whining in the supermarket will work but the message is "If you whine I will buy you sweets." Much better to buy the sweets on the day he doesn't whine.
Be positive and when you can try and explain why you have asked them to do something. e.g. "you can't leave your bike there" may make a child think "yes i can - just watch me". But if you say "Put your bike against the wall so no-one will trip over it" you are much more likely to get agreement.
When you are wrong admit it. A useful phrase may be "everyone makes mistakes". Don't try and wriggle out of situations. If you accuse a child of breaking a glass and you find out later he didn't do it, admit it on apologise.
Try not to let your own moods affect your response to negative behaviour. Remember to always hold your temper as it will only inflame the situation by counting to ten or leaving the room for a moment or two.
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