UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FACT
SHEETS
PARENTING TIP - #1
DISCIPLINE and PUNISHMENT
Discipline:
- Teaching and parenting that helps develop self-control, self-esteem,
character and orderly condition. A positive approach with long range goals.
Punishment:
- Penalties for wrong doing which are placed on children by adults; often
harsh treatment. A negative approach or quick fix.
PRACTICING DISCIPLINE
- Establishing rules and setting limits in a thoughtful way, looking to
the future, rather than laying down the law only when we are angry.
- Explaining the rules and reasons for them carefully and encouraging
children to discuss them.
- Using gentle physical contact and a normal tone of voice to influence
children, rather than grabbing, yelling and threatening.
- Ignoring minor misbehaviors, because every child needs to make some
mistakes while growing up and dealing with the larger misbehaviors.
- Listening to children, asking them questions, talking about a variety
of things interesting to them; if they are treated like "regular people"
with the same respect we give adults, they will behave much better than if
they are ignored and given attention only when they've been bad.
- Enforcing rules in a non threatening way that does not embarrass
children, but which encourages self-control and maintains everyone's
self-respect.
TWO DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES
1. TIME OUT : (not recommended by
NAEYC)
- Not to exceed one minute for each year of age for children 3-5 or one
hour for a school age
- -- used for the purposes of thinking things over and gaining
self-control.
2. GROUNDING: An older child for a reasonable period of time - used
so child can experience the result of the misbehavior and for thinking things
over and gaining self-control.
-Submitted by Marilyn Martin
University of Rhode Island, United States Department of Agriculture, and
local governments cooperating, Cooperative Extension in Rhode Island prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status.
If you are interested in more information please call 401.277.5255