Positive Discipline

Positive discipline is discipline that focuses on the positive side of behavior. This is because there is no bad child, only good or bad behaviors. Therefore, it is possible for you to teach good behaviors while discouraging bad ones without physically or verbally harming the child. This type of discipline includes a number of different techniques that lead to a more effective way of handling a child or children.

Positive discipline is different from negative discipline which involves destructive, violent and angry responses to inappropriate behavior. The following are positive discipline techniques:

be a good example

Setting a good example for your child can point them in a good direction, as children learn by what they see. Try to explain the consequences of misbehavior to them so they have no reason to want to misbehave.

Build a positive relationship

It is important that you spend quality time with your child or children every day. This time can be used to talk, play or just enjoy each other’s company. It will be of great benefit to talk with your child about the feelings that she has experienced throughout the day and then share the same about her day. This provides an opportunity to learn from each other and build a strong foundation for the relationship.

use encouragement

Positive discipline focuses on encouragement rather than praise. Encouragement focuses on a child’s efforts regardless of the outcome, while praise is only for a job well done. Therefore, encouragement celebrates a child’s improvements while motivating him to keep trying. This makes them feel appreciated and recognized. This helps the child to recognize her full potential and teaches her to be more independent.

solve problems together

When you solve problems together with the child, you teach him the skills necessary to solve problems and give him the opportunity to share his opinions. Children should be encouraged to share their feelings and talk openly about their ideas, problems, and mistakes. You will then be able to work with the child to solve problems through respectful communication.

Identify the belief behind the behavior.

Positive discipline recognizes the reasons why the child does what he does and works to change those beliefs, rather than trying to change the behavior.

supervise your child

When a child feels the lack of limits, he is likely to misbehave. But if they know they have constant support, they are more likely to behave even when unsupervised.

Positive discipline should:

1. Be kind, firm, respectful and encouraging
2. Help the child to have a sense of importance
3. Be effective in the long term and not in the short term like negative discipline
4. Teach the child social and life skills that go with good character. The child must be able to solve problems and show concern for others as he uses his personal power constructively.

Ultimately, the goals of positive discipline are to protect your child from harm, to help instill values, to help your child learn self-control, and also to learn a sense of responsibility.