Positive Guidance and Discipline

1. Positive Guidance andDiscipline

2. Discipline & Guidance facts… • Discipline: guidance which helps the child learn self-control • Self-discipline: ability to direct one’s own behavior • Consistency is the key to guiding children’s behavior • Children may rebel when parents punish rather than discipline • Attention is a powerful reinforcer when guiding children: they often misbehave for attention • Respond to aggressive behavior in non-aggressive ways • Example: is a very effective way to teach children desired behavior

3. Positive Guidance Techniques

4. Natural and Logical Consequences To take away privileges that relate to the misbehavior • 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. • 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. • Example: if Jake spills the toys he must clean up the mess that is made.

5. Positive Statements • Clearly states what is expected, what you do want, then help them get started • When guiding children, phrase all requests in a positive manner with positive words. • Talk to children at their eye level when giving directions • Example: say, “Let’s walk to the blocks,” rather than, “Don’t run to the blocks”

6. Redirection • Children up to two years old can be easily distracted • 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

7. Reverse Attention • When a child’s behavior is inappropriate, focus on a child who is displaying the appropriate behavior and make a positive comment • Ignoring the negative, reinforcing the positive • If the first child changes his behavior, he should be immediately reinforced with a positive statement.

8. 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?”

9. Time Out • Use a place where there are no distractions or positive reinforces • 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. • One minute for each year of age.

10. When Dealing with Misbehavior Avoid……… Physical Punishment Bribes Withholding Love Forcing Promises from the Child Control through guilt

11. The GOAL of positive guidance….. Model Support Protect Teach Encourage Respect Help a child gain Inner Control