Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
7 positive discipline tips for parents
18 October 2016 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. The focus of this month is to raise awareness about the importance of helping families find support to keep their children safe.
Last week, we wrote about the importance of positive discipline. Here are seven tips to help parents take a positive discipline approach:
1. Be a good role model
Children do most of their learning by observing what the adults around them do. If they see us yelling, they will learn that’s the way to gain control and restore order. Practice patience in times of frustration or stress, and use gentle but firm words.
2. Praise positive behaviour
Kids love attention, but we as parents often focus on the times when they’re misbehaving. Praise and encouragement makes children feel good about themselves, boosts their confidence and self-esteem, and encourages the good behaviour. Remember to praise the effort, not just the outcome.
3. Provide structure and limits
Outline the rules and limits when entering a new situation. Ensure your child understands what appropriate behaviour looks like, and the consequences should they decide to break the rules.
4. Understand what is causing the problem
Get to the root of the problem and figure out why they’re misbehaving. Ask yourself: Are they hungry or tired? Did they not understand the rules, or am I expecting too much from my child? Are they acting out because they want my attention?
5. Acknowledge their feelings
Take the time to discuss how they’re feeling. By acknowledging their feelings, kids feel understood and are more open to accepting your limits and possible consequences.
6. Recognize and redirect
Recognize when a situation is escalating, and attempt to fix the problem before it gets worse. Offer other choices or redirect your child to another activity.
7. Consequences should be logical and purposeful
Consequences can be seen as punishment by kids. However, when they are logical and purposeful, they can be a good teaching tool and gives children the opportunity to make amends. (i.e. “If you’re unwilling to share your toy with your friend, the toy will be put away until you’re ready to share.”)
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child 0 to 6 years old, feel free to register or inquire about the Positive Discipline program at our YMCA Ontario Early Years Centres. This free, multi-week program is offered throughout the year to help parents and caregivers learn about child development and positive parenting strategies.
For more information about Child Abuse Prevention month and positive parenting strategies check out Boost for Kids and Caring for Kids.
Last week, we wrote about the importance of positive discipline. Here are seven tips to help parents take a positive discipline approach:
1. Be a good role model
Children do most of their learning by observing what the adults around them do. If they see us yelling, they will learn that’s the way to gain control and restore order. Practice patience in times of frustration or stress, and use gentle but firm words.
2. Praise positive behaviour
Kids love attention, but we as parents often focus on the times when they’re misbehaving. Praise and encouragement makes children feel good about themselves, boosts their confidence and self-esteem, and encourages the good behaviour. Remember to praise the effort, not just the outcome.
3. Provide structure and limits
Outline the rules and limits when entering a new situation. Ensure your child understands what appropriate behaviour looks like, and the consequences should they decide to break the rules.
4. Understand what is causing the problem
Get to the root of the problem and figure out why they’re misbehaving. Ask yourself: Are they hungry or tired? Did they not understand the rules, or am I expecting too much from my child? Are they acting out because they want my attention?
5. Acknowledge their feelings
Take the time to discuss how they’re feeling. By acknowledging their feelings, kids feel understood and are more open to accepting your limits and possible consequences.
6. Recognize and redirect
Recognize when a situation is escalating, and attempt to fix the problem before it gets worse. Offer other choices or redirect your child to another activity.
7. Consequences should be logical and purposeful
Consequences can be seen as punishment by kids. However, when they are logical and purposeful, they can be a good teaching tool and gives children the opportunity to make amends. (i.e. “If you’re unwilling to share your toy with your friend, the toy will be put away until you’re ready to share.”)
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child 0 to 6 years old, feel free to register or inquire about the Positive Discipline program at our YMCA Ontario Early Years Centres. This free, multi-week program is offered throughout the year to help parents and caregivers learn about child development and positive parenting strategies.
For more information about Child Abuse Prevention month and positive parenting strategies check out Boost for Kids and Caring for Kids.
