Positive Guidance andDiscipline

As a result, punishment focuses on the parent being responsible for controlling a child's behavior. Discipline focuses on the child controlling his/her own behavior. Discipline vs. Punishment Discipline is different from punishment. Discipline teaches children to learn from their mistakes while punishment only makes suffer for them. In fact, imposing suffering actually shifts the focus from the lesson that needs to be learned to who is in control.

Reasons for Misbehavior Stage of Growth: the child is behaving in a normal manner for the stage of growth he/she is in: power, attention, revenge, assumed inadequacy are normal Unfulfilled Needs: The child’s needs are not being met and she/he is acting out in order to try to get his/her needs met.

Reasons for Misbehavior Environment: The child is uncomfortable in or does not understand his/her environment. Doesn’t know better: The child has not been taught the concept he/she is dealing with.

Types of Guidance Techniques

1. Natural and Logical Consequences Consequences a.Natural Consequences: occur without interference and child can see the result of their choices Short in duration, not imposed in anger, provide opportunities for children to learn from their behavior Example: Kristi did not wear her gloves and her hands get cold.

Should be relevant to the misbehavior Should make the punishment fit the crime. Cannot be used if the consequence will cause harm to self, others or property, or too far in the future. Example: if Sally spills the paint, she must clean up the mess that is made. b.Logical Consequences

2. Positive Statements When guiding children, phrase all requests in a positive manner Example: say, “Let’s walk to the playground,” rather than, “Don’t run to the playground.” Clearly states what is expected, then help them get started Talk to children at their eye level when giving directions

3. Redirection Get him to focus on something else Example: if he is angry at the blocks area, lead him to a different area of the room and introduce a different activity Children up to two years old can be easily distracted

4. Reverse Attention When a child’s behavior is inappropriate, focus on a child who is displaying the appropriate behavior and make a positive comment If the first child changes his behavior, he should be immediately reinforced with a positive statement Ignoring the negative, reinforcing the positive

5. Limited Choices Do not give him an unlimited choice unless he can really have what is chosen. Only give choices that are available. Example: “Do you want juice or water for a drink?” rather than, ‘What would you like to drink?”

Limited Choices (continued) For example: Joshua is misbehaving in the toy store running around like a little maniac. Pull him to the side and quietly give him the choice, “Joshua, would you like to calm down and behave or would you like mom to take you home right now? Most likely he will choose the first option! For misbehavior: Make the choices relevant to what you really want the child to do. Make the choices relevant to what you really want the child to do. Do not use time out as a choice. Do not use time out as a choice. It is imperative that you are willing to carry out their choice making sure one of them is not seen as a punishment It is imperative that you are willing to carry out their choice making sure one of them is not seen as a punishment

6. Time Out When a child has disobeyed a rule, she will be sent to a predetermined place to distance herself from the problem and gain composure. Should be a last option with limited use. Use a place where there are no distractions or positive reinforcers

Positive Guidance Tips & Terms Discipline: guidance which helps the child learn self-control Self-discipline: ability to direct one’s own behavior Children may rebel when parents punish rather than discipline Attention is a powerful reinforcer to guide children; they often misbehave for attention Consistency is the key to guidance Respond to aggressive behavior in non-aggressive ways