Discipline Appropriate Guidelines for the Preschool Child Montgomery County Head Start

What is the difference between guidance and discipline? What is discipline? What is guidance? What is punishment? What are consequences?

Discipline From the Latin word disciple - to follow Discipline –to follow a set of rules or guidelines Discipline occurs mainly in response to certain words, actions and incidents.

Guidance Guidance is everything that parents and caregivers do that influence behavior. Caregivers can guide children in a direct way by creating routines, planning activities and actually stating and explaining what acceptable limits of behavior are. Creating environments and guiding behavior is indirect guidance.

When does guidance begin? At birth children learn how their reactions and those around them are related. Babies who respond well to their caregivers are those whose needs have been met.

Punishment Penalty for wrong doing. Consequences – the effect, result or outcome of something occurring earlier

Positive Guidance What is the child’s age? Was the behavior intentional or unintentional? What is the emotional and social ability of the child? Does the child understand right from wrong?

Creating Positive Guidance Provide creative, planned experiences Offer choices Acknowledged good behavior with positive reinforcement Be consistent

Positive caregivers do: Set limits-rules and boundaries that children must follow Clear and consistent Reasonable and age appropriate Ignore certain behaviors Use humor to diffuse the situation

Positive caregivers do: Redirect or distract Give reminders Apply consequences Set clear limits Apply natural consequences

Inappropriate discipline Do not punish for toileting accidents Do not punish for showing emotions Do not make idle threats Do not use shame Do not withhold love as a punishment Do not inflict physical harm

Choosing Words With Care Negativism- saying no is normal, expected and designed to exercise a new sense of control Do not argue with a child, redirect Do not bribe. Children will learn that disruptive behavior gets them rewards We all make mistakes. Apologize. xPhINdFE xPhINdFE

Time-Out Time out is a method of removing children from a problem situation to give them time to calm down. Time out helps teach self-control. When used calmly and in a positive way, children can learn to use the time out for self control.

Three Rules for Time Out Never in the same place Never longer than their age Always explain what behavior got them in this situation and what behavior is expected. How do you want them to change?

Controlling the Caregiver’s Anger Walk away from the situation Take a deep breath before speaking Count to 10 or 100 Discuss the situation with someone else Never grab, yank, pull, or hit a child. The more angry you become, the more you should begin to back away.

Spanking Spanking is never, appropriate in a school situation. There are positive, practical alternatives. Spanking teaches children to control others by hitting.

Check List for Caregivers Show understanding of the child’s desires Set the limit and explain it Acknowledge the child’s feelings Give alternatives

Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior Is the behavior expected appropriate, given the child’s development? Does the child understand that the behavior is wrong?

Positive Guidance Positive Guidance teaches self-direction Have the confidence to let children know you are in charge Practice the motto: Firm, Fair and Friendly

Questions to Answer How is positive guidance different from what people typically mean when they talk about discipline? What techniques might help prevent misbehavior in the first place? Why do children want limits? What are four ways caregivers help control their anger?