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What's Going On In There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life
- By Lise Eliot, Ph.D

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Discipline Techniques for Children that Work - Basic Techniques

By Andrew Loh

With a range of discipline skills and methods, you can easily work with your children. Better methods of discipline will also help avoid instances of frustration and embarrassment. Ask any discerning and concerned parent - they will always say that disciplining their children is their biggest concern. Effective discipline techniques teach your children the right type of mindset and mannerism that can take them forward in their life. As a dedicated parent, you will need to empower your children with the right type of discipline and good behavior that will win accolades from other people. With good self-control, your children will know in what manner they can behave and act, when someone is watching and examining them.

Your children always learn better from what exactly occurs to them and not from what you explain them. It is just more than what you tell them. Children can be very tricky to handle and manage. Children can go any length to test your patience. They can test you by arguing, whining and yelling. In fact, they want to see how you react to them! If they are negative and when you reward their negative behavior, you are actually encouraging them to repeat the negative behavior all over again.

Children also learn things by mimicking what others are doing. Children like to copy their elders and parents. If you show model behavior, they are likely to repeat the same behavior. Rewarding your child for good behavior will catalyze their ability to repeat good behavior and mannerism. If you find that your children are showing good behavior, you will need to let them know how pleased you are about their behavior.

When your children are behaving well, you will need to show your agreement, by either nodding or smiling. Pay attention to your children, so that you can monitor their behavior. Never ever, give play toys or snacks, when your children misbehave or show bad behavior. If you have very young children, never shame or embarrass them in front of others. When you hurt their feelings, you can damage their self-image and self-esteem.

Here are some effective ways to discipline your children:

Use time out option: Keep your children active by encouraging them stay or play alone for an hour or two. When they are alone and up to them, your children calm down. Once they become calm and quiet, you can sit down with them and discuss about all positive benefits of good behavior.

Power of words: If your child is misbehaving, you can talk to him or her in calm and quiet manner. Ask your child what made him or her to misbehave. Then, you can ask them solve the problem by working with you. Arrive at a workable and practical solution to solve the problem.

Alter the schedule or change the activity: When your children are doing something ill mannered, you can stop that activity almost immediately. However, give an explanation why you are stopping them. At the same time, suggest them other activities and reschedule their time to do good things.

Helping children to fix pending problems: Your child should be able to fix up any problems as and when they occur. If your child hits another, help your child to calm down the other child. Encourage your child to do this.

Occasional ignorance: Many a time, children misbehave just to get their parent's attention! You can ignore those activities that are not serious. Instead, pay attention to their good behavior. You can attend them for their good behavior. However, do not ignore their negative behavior that is serious and embarrassing.

Deal with a firm hand: Be firm and tough, while dealing with instances of misbehavior. You can use the right type of voice, whenever there is a case of indiscipline.

Take control of the situation: If there is a need to correct the situation, you will need to act swiftly and urgently to solve the problem. Never ever, lose your patience and get angry.

Some activities you can try:

1. Simple words of caution: ¡°Please don't do that again¡±, ¡°Please do not slam the door¡±, ¡°Please do not write on the wall¡±, and ¡°Please do not spoil that toy¡±. When you use these words, your child will understand the tone of your firm, yet gentle order that will help them avoid doing those things that are not appropriate.

2. Use any number of words that praise your children - ¡°You did a good thing¡±, ¡°You have been so nice¡±, ¡°You are so good mannered¡± and ¡°You are such an obedient person¡±.

3. Try to control and manage your angry face, while restraining your children from misbehaving. Never be too rude and ill mannered yourself.

Teaching discipline and good behavior is a two-way traffic. It needs your participation and your children's active support. However, you may ensure that it is a continuous process, until such a time, when your children grow into the adult stage.

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