9 DISCIPLINE STRATEGIES THAT WORK
Discipline is different from punishment. The 9 discipline strategies emphasizes teaching appropriate and acceptable behavior, whereas, punishment emphases controlling behavior through fear and intimidation.
Here are the 9 discipline strategies:
1. Avoid confrontations by sensing when your child is under too
much stress or approaching the frustration level.
2. If you sense a squabble is about to turn into a brawl, step in
and guide the children in working through their problem (but wait until the
last minute in order to give them a chance at working out their own problems).
3. Involve
the whole family in understanding and setting rules. Ask for discipline
suggestions from children. Enforce the rules once they are set.
4. Help young children, in particular, interpret the impact of
their actions on others. Since they are basically self-centered, young children
rarely deal with the full implications of their behavior.
5. Be prepared for unusual situations where discipline might be a
problem-such as a trip to the doctor's office or a plane flight. Carry
entertaining items with you.
6. Keep an eye on what is happening. Don't leave children entirely
on their own for long periods of time. Remove temptations from a child's
environment. Distract young children from the problem that you see brewing. Let
children know what is expected of them and why.
7. Occasionally ignore a mistake or remark that "just slipped
out". Never ignore the child.
8. Give children the option for a "time-out". If a child
is visibly upset, tell the child you are happy to discuss it or the child can
think about the problem in private and then rejoin the group whenever she or he
chooses. However, hostility, tantrums, disruptions. or disrespect will not be
accepted. Don't let a child do something self-destructive. Step in and offer
some coping suggestions.
9. Provide a cool-down period right before bed. Limit stimulation
and activity.
10.
Don't expect children to immediately stop
when an adult is tired of a rowdy game and says, "That's enough."
Will Barnes
www.yourconsultantsite.com