1. Parenting Theories John B. Watson
– early 1900s
What do we remember him from?
Warned parents not to kiss, cuddle, or rock their children and to put them on strict schedules for feeding, sleeping and toilet training
Physical punishment was used by parents and teachers
Children were seen as impulsive beings who needed a strict regiment and punishments to train them into being good citizens

2. Sigmund Freud
Related early life experiences to adult mental health encouraged a new view on child development and the effects of parenting

3. Dr. Benjamin Spock - 1946 Commonsense theories
Opening line was “Trust Yourself”
Believed that parents knew more about parenting than they thought
Supported parents and counteracted the strict schedules and training ideas
Influenced the movement to abolish physical punishment
Some people found his advice too permissive
He learned and adjusted through the years (wrote books for single parents, divorced parents etc.)
Emphasized that parents should teach morals and values and should expect respect
Many of his underlying theories are still used today

4. Distinction between discipline and punishment
Discipline involves providing examples, guidance, encouragement and rules so that children learn what is acceptable and WHY while being caring
Punishment is reactive and a penalty for wrong doing

5. Rudolph Dreikurs
Rudolph Dreikurs and Vicki Soltz wrote a child rearing book in 1964
Provided a step by step program for coping with childhood problems
Dreikurs identified 4 goals of misbehaviour
Attention seeking
Power seeking
Revenge seeking
Displaying inadequacy
Suggested that parents catch children being good, offer choices, look for and reinforce positive behaviour, stay out of the power struggles and offer encouragement
His theories have been very influential

7. Children seem to know how to manipulate parents to get a specific response. If parents can anticipate these goals they can sidestep conflict and the child is treated with dignity and respect.
Use strategies to encourage positive behaviour instead of waiting until confronted by misbehaviour

8. Diane Baumrind
Identified and described various parenting styles
Authoritarian
Permissive
Authoritative (democratic)
Conducted experiments and found 1 to be the most effective
Authoritative

10. Barbara Coloroso
Same idea as Baumrind – created more “user friendly names”
Brick Wall Families (Authoritarian)
Jellyfish Families (Permissive)
Back-bone Families (Authoritative)
Discusses how physical punishment hurts a child’s dignity and it teaches children that if you are bigger you can hit
She recommends creating consequences that are:
Reasonable (fits the problem)
Simple
Valuable as a learning tool
Practical
Ex. A child who is grounded for two weeks because he or she slammed the door and broke the glass is not reasonable or practical, nor does it solve the problem or teach the child anything. The child who is expected to clean up the glass and replace the window has solved the problem and learns not to slam a door in anger.
Personal story

11. Find examples of each style of parent from TV or movies
Authoritarian (Brick Wall)
Permissive (Jellyfish)
Authoritative (Back-bone)
Be prepared to share your examples with the class

12. Importance of Democratic Parenting
Democratic parents are generally self-confident, relaxed, but firm in their management
Consistently set limits and are clear on expectations
Children are responsible members of a social group who need clear guidelines
Explanations help children understand and accept limits and consequences
Children develop self-control and self-worth
Requires a lot of thought and effort but maintains the dignity of both parent and child

13. Communication Communication in any relationship is key
Allows children to voice their opinions and their feelings and help to understand themselves and others
Makes children feel valued
Don’t have to ask for their permission but it’s important to ask how they feel
Encourages cooperation and active listening and allows opportunities to teach problem solving skills