Early Childhood Professionals

Guidance and Discipline

Every adult who cares for children has a responsibility to guide and correct children toward appropriate behaviors. Positive guidance and discipline are crucial in promoting self control and confidence in children, teaching children responsibility, and helping children make thoughtful choices. When adults encourage appropriate behavior in children, they are likely to spend less time in correcting misbehavior and challenging behavior.

National eXtension resources provide information in several areas to help make guidance and discipline effective.

Punishment and Discipline – What’s the Difference?

Adults often confuse discipline with punishment. The approaches of discipline and punishment are quite different. Learn about the positive aspect of effective guidance and discipline.

Other effective ideas that adult care givers can use -

• Change surroundings instead of the behavior.
• Focus on “Do” instead of “Don't”.
• Give the child choices.
• Give safe, understandable limits.
• Help your children feel lovable and capable.
• Look at children's behavior as related to family events.
• Model the behavior you expect of your children.
• Work with, not against, the child.

Image on the page courtesy of MWR via Flickr (found on searchcreativecommons.org)