Making your child disciplined is a priority in your parenting journey. You may be thinking of various ways to teach discipline to your child so they can function well at home and in school. However, teaching good behavior to your child may seem a daunting task. Read on to know about the barriers to good behavior, effective discipline techniques, and what you can do to teach discipline to your child.
What is discipline?
Discipline is the process where you teach your child about acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It makes them responsible, and they start taking accountability for their actions. To teach discipline to children, parents can use a variety of techniques like positive reinforcement, modeling, and a loving and supportive environment. Sometimes, punishment can also be considered an effective tool to make children disciplined, but it does not mean that discipline can be taught by taking stern actions. Your role as a parent should be to help your child become self-reliant, respectful, and self-controlled.
Parenting styles
Every parent has a unique style of raising their children. However, their parenting style can fall into any of the following:
Authoritative parent
If you have set clear expectations for your child and show affection towards them, you are more likely to fall into this parenting style. It is the most effective form of parenting that allows flexibility and collaborative problem-solving.
Authoritarian parent
If you fall under this category, you have clear expectations and consequences from your child. However, you show little affection towards them.
Permissive parent
If you spoil your child with your love, you follow a permissive parenting style. This is the least effective form of parenting.
Discipline techniques
Every parent has a unique technique to make their child follow discipline. Various discipline techniques can help you raise your child more efficiently. However, the selection of proper techniques depends on your child’s age, temperament, and behavior. Moreover, your parenting style also defines which technique will work best for your child.
Some of the ways to teach discipline to your child are:
Reward good behavior
Rewarding good behavior is the best way to teach discipline to your child. If they show the behavior you have been asking for, try to compliment them. Praising their little efforts will make them continue doing good things.
Natural consequences
Help your child understand the consequences of their bad behavior. For example, if your child breaks their toy deliberately, do not provide them with a replacement of that toy. Instead, ask them to continue playing with other toys. Natural consequences work well in situations where your child does not seem to hear your warnings about the potential impact of their behavior.
Logical consequences
Logical consequences involve describing to your child what circumstances they could face if they don’t take your warning seriously. It is similar to natural consequences, but the effects are directly related to their behavior.
Time outs
Make your child sit in a quiet place for some time when they do not show proper discipline and behavior. If you know exactly what your child did wrong, you can follow the time-out procedure.
Taking away benefits or privileges
If your child is showing bad behavior, you can take away their privileges. It will help them understand the value of things. For example, if your child does not finish their homework on time, you may bar them from watching television for an evening. This technique works best when the privilege is related to the child's behavior.
Tips to maintain discipline in children
Here are a few tips that will help you know if your child is on the right path.
Allow your discipline techniques to fit into your child’s behavior
Understanding your child’s behavior and temperament is the best way to guide them to become disciplined. Know who your child is and understand their persona before taking an action.
Communicate about discipline with your child
Making your child understand the value of discipline and good behavior is essential for their overall development. Communicate how you want your child to develop discipline. If your child is old enough, you can discuss different techniques with them.
Be respectful
If you show respect to your child, they will also show the same behavior towards you and other family members. In case you overreact in front of your child, ask for apologies.
Be consistent
Be consistent in your efforts. You might take longer than expected to teach discipline to your children. However, ensure that you are following the right technique to help your child become more organized and disciplined.
Understand the appropriate technique
Various techniques can make your child disciplined. However, understand which methods will work the best for your child. Set your expectations and observe your child’s behavior before following any discipline technique.
Teaching discipline to your child is not something you can do overnight. You need to be consistent in your efforts to bring the best out of your child. However, do not take undue pressure upon yourself. Take breaks in between and understand that together you and your child will reach a happy place.
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