Positive Guidance andDiscipline Objective 6.02

 Actions that direct, supervise, and influence behavior  Effective communication is essential between child and adult  Adult should set positive examples for the child to follow (duh!)

Reasons for Misbehavior Power Attention Revenge Unfullfilled needs Environment Doesn’t know better or hasn’t been taught All normal

Guidance Discipline: to teach (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

 Guidance that helps a child gain control of his/her own actions  When parents do not encourage appropriate behavior, the child may seek attention using problem behavior  Set clear limits  Make expectations known  DO NOT bribe child to behave. Why?

 Child is seeking attention  Ignore the child-remove yourself from the situation  How did your parents handle temper tantrums?

Types of Guidance Techniques

1. Natural and Logical Consequences Consequences Natural Consequences: occur without interference, child can see the result of their choices Logical Consequences: should be relevant to the misbehavior Short in duration, not imposed in anger, provide opportunities for children to learn from their behavior To make the punishment fit the crime. Example: if Sally spills the paint, she must clean up the mess that is made

2. Positive Statements Talk to children at their eye level when giving directions Use positive guidance/language Example:  “Please walk” instead of “Do not run”  “Quiet voices” instead of “ Quit screaming”  “It’s time to go” instead of “Quit dawdling”

3. Redirection Get child to focus on something else. Example: if Sarah is angry at the blocks area, lead her to a different area of the room and introduce a different activity Children 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 an unlimited choice unless the child can really have what is chosen. So logically…only give choices that are available. Example: “Do you want juice or water for a drink?” rather than, ‘What would you like to drink?”

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

 Emotional/Verbal/Mental  Physical (non-accidental)  Easily recognized by outsiders  Sexual  Neglect: Depriving a child of proper diet, medical care, shelter, and/or clothing for long periods of time.

 Setting unreasonable expectations and demands on a child  Belittling remarks; verbal attacks Sexual Abuse Sexual molestation- using a child to gain sexual pleasure or to control them. Sexual molestation- using a child to gain sexual pleasure or to control them.

 What do I mean when I say “Cycle” of child abuse?  Children who are abused are more likely to be abused as adults  They are also more likely to abuse their own children – it’s all they know