Which Discipline Method Is Right For Your Child?
Every parent faces discipline challenges from time to time and must find an effective method of discipline to use to teach their children appropriate behaviors. There are many discipline methods that parents can use and each child will respond best to a unique approach to discipline.
One of the most controversial methods of discipline is spanking. While spanking does serve as a punishment for unwanted behavior, it sends a mixed message and may cause more harm than good. Spanking a child teaches them that violence is an acceptable way to resolve problems. Spanking a child for hitting or hurting others is often counterproductive because the message of not hitting is lost in the punishment, which is hitting.
Giving a child a time out is another common method that can work for some children to teach them acceptable ways of acting. Time outs separate children from the group or activity and give them a chance to think about their behavior, reflect on what they did wrong and think about more appropriate ways of acting. They give children a chance to calm down as well and collect their thoughts so that you can more easily communicate with them what they did wrong and how you expect them to handle the situation next time.
Discipline is about more than just punishment. Discipline is also about teaching children right from wrong and responsibility. Talking to a child who misbehaves and communicating appropriate behavior is a good form of discipline because it gives them a clear idea of what they should do instead of focusing on what they did wrong. When a child is given ideas on how to act appropriately they will be better equipped to deal with a challenging situation more appropriately.
It is also important to set limits and follow through with consequences and punishment. Let children know what behavior is unacceptable and acceptable and what the punishment and rewards will be for each action. If your child breaks a rule or misbehaves be sure to institute the punishment or your child will learn not to take consequences seriously.
It takes time for children to learn how they should behave. No matter what discipline method you choose children learn best when they have positive roles models to look up to, so always model the behavior you want to see in your children. Every child is different as well, so remember that if one discipline method does not work you can always try another.
One of the most controversial methods of discipline is spanking. While spanking does serve as a punishment for unwanted behavior, it sends a mixed message and may cause more harm than good. Spanking a child teaches them that violence is an acceptable way to resolve problems. Spanking a child for hitting or hurting others is often counterproductive because the message of not hitting is lost in the punishment, which is hitting.
Giving a child a time out is another common method that can work for some children to teach them acceptable ways of acting. Time outs separate children from the group or activity and give them a chance to think about their behavior, reflect on what they did wrong and think about more appropriate ways of acting. They give children a chance to calm down as well and collect their thoughts so that you can more easily communicate with them what they did wrong and how you expect them to handle the situation next time.
Discipline is about more than just punishment. Discipline is also about teaching children right from wrong and responsibility. Talking to a child who misbehaves and communicating appropriate behavior is a good form of discipline because it gives them a clear idea of what they should do instead of focusing on what they did wrong. When a child is given ideas on how to act appropriately they will be better equipped to deal with a challenging situation more appropriately.
It is also important to set limits and follow through with consequences and punishment. Let children know what behavior is unacceptable and acceptable and what the punishment and rewards will be for each action. If your child breaks a rule or misbehaves be sure to institute the punishment or your child will learn not to take consequences seriously.
It takes time for children to learn how they should behave. No matter what discipline method you choose children learn best when they have positive roles models to look up to, so always model the behavior you want to see in your children. Every child is different as well, so remember that if one discipline method does not work you can always try another.
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