DISCIPLINE Children need sufficient discipline to help them understand SAFETY and ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR FIRM, KIND, REASONABLE & CONSISTENT DISCIPLINE HELPS CHILDREN TO: Develop self control Behave in a way acceptable to others Feel secure as they know the boundaries Learn what is safe and what is unsafe EXCESSIVE, NAGGING,HARSH OR ABUSIVE DISCIPLINE CAN: Demand far too much from a child at an age which is unreasonable Create a negative relationship with a child based on constant nagging and negative comments Make a child (and parent/carer) miserable

GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE Set a good example yourself – children learn through imitating good and bad behaviour Aim to praise rather than criticise – reward good behaviour as well as correcting poor behaviour Be reasonable in your expectations – this should develop as a child gets older Be consistent – agree ground rules with the child's other carers Mean what you say – avoid making “empty threats” Avoid battles that you cannot win Say sorry if you have behaved badly – all parents can be short tempered; if you apologies it teaches a child to apologies as well!