Effective discipline is one of the most difficult skills parents have to learn when children misbehave. It requires a lot of hard work and understanding. All children develop differently and their temperaments are not the same. It is important to understand that what may work for one child may not necessarily work for another. Throughout the decades experts have created ways to effectively discipline. Trying different methods help parents discover which techniques are most effective.
Parents oftentimes use punishment as a form of discipline, not knowing that there is a difference between the two. Before proper disciplining can take place, parentsโ first need to understand what discipline is and its purpose. Discipline can be understood as the reaction parents have towards bad behavior. The purpose behind the reaction is to teach children:
- * Self-control
* Difference between right and wrong
* How to respect others
* Appropriate versus inappropriate behavior
This article is to help parents find effective ways to help promote positive behavior.
Parents Behavior Can Affect the Outcome
Raising children would be easier if children came with a step-by-step how-to guide on how to successfully handle bad behavior. The unfortunate reality is there is no way to tell how children are going to behave and which method of discipline is best to use.
Parents however, can determine their own behavior to help diffuse a bad situation. Staying in control can always lead to positive disciplining. Although easier said than done, working out problems calmly and patiently will produce more positive results rather than becoming angry or frustrated. Children mimic adult behavior. If parents tantrum when upset, children will do the same.
Tone of voice plays a major role during discipline. Parents need to use a firm controlled voice when wanting to discuss issues that matter. Giving in or showing trepidation when children are arguing or having temper tantrums can results in repeated bad behavior. When parents are firm and consistent it shows that what they are saying is what they mean and children will begin to realize that they are not going to win and will stop.
Effect Discipline Methods
Young children are learning what behaviors are appropriate and what is not through discipline. Their natural curiosity oftentimes leads them into an activity that results in trouble. When parents see children involved in a situation that is unacceptable, an effective technique is to redirect or divert their attention to a more desirable activity. It is important to explain to children why their actions are being stopped. It helps them avoid that particular behavior in the future.
Redirection also gives children a chance to utilize their own problem solving skills. For example, if children are writing on walls, encourage them to come up with better ways to use crayons. When children are encouraged to solve the problem on their own, it helps enhance their ability to distinguish between right and wrong, possibly preventing future occurrences.
When children are behaving in a manner that is unacceptable, parents can use time-outs as an effective way to discipline. The purpose for using this method is to remove children from the negative situation. By doing this it gives them an opportunity to calm down and allow them to reflect on their misbehavior. Parents need to be sure to explain to children the reason for the removal. It is important for children to understand why the choices they made were not appropriate. Once the child has had an opportunity to relax, parents should then encourage a more positive activity.
Some misbehavior is done as way to get attention. Acknowledging this type of behavior can lead to future problems. Ignoring children when they are attempting to illicit reactions through bad behavior is the best thing parents can do. Children need attention for good behavior, not for misbehavior.
Sometimes using tangible objects can help children understand what behavior is appropriate. Getting children involved with disciplining helps hold them accountable for their own actions. Some examples of these items are:
- * Behavioral charts
* Sticker charts
* Marble jar
Finding the best techniques to discipline children takes time. Parents should not get discourage if they find that certain techniques do not work. It requires a lot of trial an error to discover what works most effectively.
32 comments
this sound like a great idea, thankyou fo this information It’ll be really helpful
I think the best way to teach discipline is to embody it. Though we still need to set rules and boundaries for our kids the best, longterm learning they’ll get is from watching us show that we can also practice self-control.
This is such useful information for parents. Will share this with my parent friends!
Great tips! Finding the right mode of discipline that your child will respond to effectively is so very important!
I don’t have any kids, but I will definitely be sharing this post with friends of mine who do. I think they’ll find it useful!
I like the redirecting options because it givea them a chance to try again to make the right choice.
Thus is such a great tip to help teach young children how to better behave. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome information
Good post offering useful parenting tips. Instilling discipline in kids is paramount to them developing into adults that are obedient, respectful and law abiding.
This is an important topic. Kids definitely need structure and boundaries and it’s up to us as parents to provide them.
This is some great information! It can be really tough when it comes to discipline.
Very useful post for me! I hope to become mom soon so any advise is welcome!
sometime it is really hard to discipline kids, but reading this blog is really helpful it suggests tips and possible ways
Parents behavior affects the outcome — sooo so true and so important to remember!
These are great tips. I don’t have kids but I am a pediatric home nurse and redirection works every time for me.
This was a super informative post. I don’t have kids of my own, but my husband and I are in the prepping stages for a baby. From my own experience as a kid, I would have really benefited from a sticker chart or something similar for discipline.
Yes I agree with you that children should learn discipline. Otherwise it may lead them on wrong way. Your above suggestions are so helpful for all the parents.
those are really good tips – i think some of us can be a little bit laid back
Ahh yes! Such a great post about discipline for your children. Being consistent was key for our kids and still is! They know what we expect on their behavior.
We always try to lead by example when it comes to disciplining children. Great advice to take into consideration!
Sounds like good steps. My children are all grown now.
Yep. The silent treatment punishment worked for my kiddo too. Luckily he’s growing up to be a good human being
This sure is an important post! I feel like many parents kinda need to step up their disciplining, or we’ll have a whole generation of spoiled brats in a few years… Then again I don’t have kids so easy for me to say ๐
Thanks for the great advice, it’s really hard to raise a kid, even if we want to discipline then, we should really be still careful with their feelings.
I don’t have children yet but I’m sure I’ll read all this once the right moment comes! Parenting sounds so difficult nowadays!
I am so loving this blog right now. Very inspiring especially for mothers and soon to be mothers!
Great tips! I don’t have kids yet but I’ll share this with my friends who do (especially the ones whose kids could use some discipline haha)
These are great tips. I don’t have kids but really admire people that have well behaved & adjusted ones!
Great post, it’s so important to teach children discipline early on and finding the right mode is essential since every child is different! I love the redirection method!
I love the idea of a sticker method. I think kids really like that.
I agree children that misbehave need to learn how to use that energy in a more constructive way
We don’t have kids but this is a great idea, very insightful indeed! Sharing it with my friends who have kids, thank you.
Chad
Some great tips here for parents! I will share this with a couple of my friends who have kids x