Positive Discipline

[Photo: August de Richelieu/Pexels]

Discipline is different from punishment; discipline means teaching. Children need to learn how to behave from you! Positive discipline focuses on teaching your child how to stay calm, calm down and make good decisions to meet their needs. Teaching your child to behave is a process that requires time and patience. It is normal for them to test the limits. The use of positive discipline keeps your interactions with your children healthy and supportive. This helps them feel safe in their relationship with you and at the same time, increases your child's confidence and self-esteem.

 Keep in mind that:

• Positive discipline focuses on teaching your child what you want them to do, rather than punishing them for doing something wrong.

• Punishment (like spanking) makes your child experience fear, but does not teach them how you want them to behave.

• It is normal for your children to test the limits. Your job is to set appropriate limits and be consistent in maintaining them.

• Positive discipline requires time and patience. Your child may try to test the rules/limits multiple times. Stay calm and steady.

• Positive discipline begins by setting limits, recognizing your child's good behavior, and discouraging behaviors that you don't want your child to do.

• Positive discipline helps foster cooperation between you and your child.

 Suggestions:

• Try to understand your child's behavior. What do they need? What do they want? Young children often act restless when they are tired, hungry, bored or do not feel well. If your child is acting out to get your attention, think about how you can implement a special time to connect with them and give them your full attention.

• Teach your child why a behavior is not right.

• Teach your child what he can do that is right. For example, if you want your child to stop running at home, make some tiptoe footprints to remind them. If your child is yelling at you, teach him how to ask using a calm voice.

• Keep calm when you discipline your child. They learn by example. If you get angry and scream, they learn to get angry and scream. Your child is learning how to interact with others by observing you.

 Always remember to show your love for your child. Their behavior may be inappropriate, but they are not "bad children." After your child misbehaves, be sure to reconnect quickly with them, hug them and let them know that they are loved. Talk with your child when they have done something inappropriate. Open communication creates a strong bond between parents and children; put it into practice today!