Guiding Children’s Behavior

Discipline

• The task of helping children to learn basic rules for self conduct

Punishment

• When something unpleasant is presented or something positive is taken away and that behavior happens less often in the future.

Effective Discipline Techniques

• Teach the child:

• How to get along with others

• How to handle their feelings in acceptable ways

• How to have positive self-esteem

• How to control their own behavior

Distraction

• Provide young children with an attractive alternative to distract them from dangerous or unsafe items or activities.

Physical Removal

• Move children to a new setting to prevent further forbidden behavior.

• Move forbidden items out of reach.

• “Child Proof” the environment

Give Reasons

• Give reasons for actions and requests to help children understand why certain behavior is desired.

Teach by Example

• Set a positive example to teach desired behavior.

• Teaching by example has the most lasting influence on children.

Impose Natural Consequences

• Children suffer from the actual result of their action.

Remove Privileges

• This type of punishment is most effective for children age five and older.

• It works best if the privilege taken away is related to the misbehavior.

Ignore Misbehavior

• Appropriate when the behavior is simply to get attention, such as a “temper tantrum”.

Time Out

• A short period of time when the child sits away from other people and activity.

• The purpose of time out is to give children a chance to calm down and regain self-control.

• One minute of time out for each year of a child’s age.

Avoid These Techniques

• Although the following actions are taken by many well-meaning parents they do little to teach the child self-discipline.

Don’t Use Physical Punishment

• Children younger than 2 are unable to make the connection between their behavior and a spanking.

• Parents who spank serve as role models for hitting other aggressive behaviors.

Don’t Withhold Love

• This creates the fear of being rejected or abandoned.

Don’t Offer Bribes

• Children can learn to expect rewards for ending inappropriate behavior.

Don’t Force Promises

• Children may feel forced to lie about misbehavior rather than break a promise.

Don’t Shame or Belittle

• This is aimed at the child as a person not the inappropriate behavior.

What is the Key to Guiding Children’s Behavior?

Consistency

• Helps children know what is expected of them and what responses they can expect from parents.

Check Your Understanding

• 1. Why should parents give a warning before punishing a child?

• 2. What is negative reinforcement?• 3. Why is shouting an inappropriate

disciplinary method?• 4. Why is threatening to withhold love a

poor disciplinary method?• 5. Why should parents discuss discipline

with their child’s other caregivers?