Positive Guidance and Discipline

Discipline & Guidance facts…•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 when guiding children: they often misbehave for attention

•Example: is a very effective way to teach children desired behavior

•Consistency is the key to guiding children’s behavior

•Respond to aggressive behavior in non-aggressive ways

Positive Guidance Techniques

Natural and Logical Consequences

Natural Consequences: •occur without interference, child can see the result of their choices•Cannot be used if the consequence will cause harm to self, others or property, or too far in the future.

Logical Consequences: •Must follow the act•cannot be imposed in anger.•Must feel as though it is an unpleaseant of the behavior•Short in duration but impact the child.

To take away privileges that relate to the misbehavior

•Example: if Jake spills the toys he must clean up the mess that is made.

Positive Statements

•When guiding children, phrase all requests in a positive manner with positive words.

•Example: say, “Let’s walk to the blocks,” rather than, “Don’t run to the blocks”

•Clearly states what is expected, what you do want, then help them get started

•Talk to children at their eye level when giving directions

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

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

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?”

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, limited use.

•Use a place where there are no distractions or positive reinforces

•One minute for each year of age.

When Dealing with Misbehavior Avoid………

Physical PunishmentBribesWithholding LoveForcing Promises from the ChildControl through guilt

The GOAL of positive guidance…..

Help a child gain Inner Control

TeachProtect

Respect EncourageSuppor

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