Childhood is an amazingly beautiful time in life. Childhood is such a time, which never comes back, but after growing up everybody wishes to go back to the early days. But everybody’s early days are difficult days for his or her parents to manage. Isn’t it?

In early days of a child, parents have to make sure that they give a sound foundation to child’s character and good ethics. As child is born, he is just like a clean paper. Whatever you write on it, child will have that as foundation for his further life.

Discipline is an integral part of an effort to shape up child’s life. But discipline is usually misunderstood as a method of correction or punishment. Discipline cannot be a negative reaction rather should be positive, motivating action.

 Dictionary defines discipline as a ‘training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement’. Discipline is an ongoing training activity. This training should give children a guideline to help them in reacting to situations in day-to-day activities. Discipline helps in developing an organised life pattern in children.

But how to induce discipline in your child’s life?

Here we will discuss how to design this training for your child. These are the guidelines for parents and how parents can effectively induce discipline in child.

 The formula for training is ECLIPSE. The way sun comes out glowing after the eclipse, parents can take up this formula and can get marvellous results in setting up the discipline.

Establish clear limits and boundaries for children. When we decide on clear rules then kids come to know the boundary and then are more likely to abide to the limits. But the rules need to be very clear and very specific. If kids have been just told the general expectations, they can’t figure out what they are expected to do. But if a specific limit has been set then children can know exactly what are they supposed to do. For example, when you want the child to be back at home early after evening play, then tell him, ‘Be back by 6.30 pm’. Just an instruction such as ‘Be back early in evening’ won’t be easy for children to adhere to.

 Cue kids once while giving directions. Make it sure that the kid is listening to your instructions; otherwise chances are there that you will be overlooked by the child. Taking into account child’s opinion also can be a way to make sure that the child is in sync with you. When you want cooperation, first gain children’s attention, state what you want and give them some time to carry out your instructions. 

 Look into child’s eye while talking to the child and giving any directions. Be firm on your instructions. Let the child know very clearly that his behavior is not acceptable and stay firm while telling this. Stay away from yelling or putting down by words; just speak firmly and very directly.

 Immediate action should be taken when kids break rules or refuse to cooperate. Nagging or constantly reminding children to do the right thing doesn’t help much in making children understand the rules, rather implement a consequence that is related to the misbehavior. The consequence need not be a physical punishment. The best methods to be used as punishment are time-out and rewarding good behavior.

 Pinpoint the purpose why child might be misbehaving.  There are reasons for child’s misbehavior that might not be very difficult to identify if you look keenly. Identify what child gain from behaving in certain ways. Unusual or out of character misbehavior should be cautiously observed and can be a sign that child is experiencing difficulties in some area. To identify which type of behavior your child is exhibiting and how to handle it, check out 4 different behavior patterns to understand your child better

 Self-control is essential for parents to get discipline in their child’s life. Children usually follow whatever they see and their role models are their parents. So while handling kids’ misbehavior, they to understand the purpose of the misbehavior. Take out some time to think about the possible reasons for the misbehavior and possible ways you can react to child’s action. This way you can train yourself to respond appropriately to your child’s misbehavior at first instance and you can stop further misbehavior. Train yourself to stop, think and go against your natural instinct when children misbehave and look for more positive or creative approaches.

 Encourage kids at every possible opportunity. Corrective discipline needs to be balanced by liberal amounts of encouragement. The persistent encouragement helps in developing self-confidence in children and raising their self-worth.

 Children need their parents to induce constant rules and be firm about them. Consistency rather than severity is the key to effective discipline. While no parent enjoys restricting their child by discipline, it is a necessity of raising children.  Inducing discipline is the way by which parents can lay a solid foundation for children.

 

 

Related posts:

1. 4 different behavior patterns to understand your child better