Positive Discipline is a program designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. Based on the best selling Positive Discipline books by Dr. Jane Nelsen, it teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for both children and adults.
Recent research tells us that children are “hardwired” from birth to connect with others, and that children who feel a sense of connection to their community, family, and school are less likely to misbehave. To be successful, contributing members of their community, children must learn necessary social and life skills. Positive Discipline is based on the understanding that discipline must be taught and that discipline teaches. Jane Nelsen gives the following criteria for “effective discipline that teaches”:
Helps children feel a sense of connection. (Belonging and significance) - Is mutually respectful and encouraging. (Kind and firm at the same time.)
- Is effective long - term. (Considers what the child is thinking, feeling, learning, and deciding about himself and his world – and what to do in the future to survive or to thrive.)
- Teaches important social and life skills . (Respect, concern for others, problem solving, and cooperation as well as the skills to contribute to the home, school or larger community.)
- Invites children to discover how capable they are. (Encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy.)
Are you aware that instilling fear in children serves no purpose and creates feelings of shame and humiliation? Fear has been shown to lead to an increased risk of future antisocial behavior including crime and substance abuse. Studies also show that spanking and other physical discipline techniques can create ongoing behavioral and emotional problems. Harsh, physical discipline teaches children that violence is the only way to solve problems. Controlling or manipulative discipline compromises the trust between parent and child, and harms the attachment bond.
Basic Tips:
· Allow natural consequences
· Offer choices
· Be sensitive to strong emotions
· Use logical consequences sparingly and with compassion
· Maintain a positive relationship
· Use empathy and respect
· Work out a solution together
· Be proactive
· Understand the child's developmental abilities
· State facts rather than making demands
· Effective communication and problem solving skills
· Discipline that teaches (and is neither permissive nor punitive)
· Focus on a solution instead of a punishment
· Encouragement (instead of praise)
Dr. Jane Nelsen will offer a Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way course for parents and educators on June 11th and 12th, 2011 at The Institute of Montessori Education in Houston. This course provides a step-by-step approach to starting and leading experientially based parenting groups. This program stands alone or offers significant enhancement to any program; it emphasizes experiential activities that reach the heart to inspire deeper understanding and change. Parents love the Parents Helping Parents Problem-Solving Steps because this process provides a fun and effective way for them to get specific help with real problems.
Participants will learn:
• Effective ways to reach parents who love their children but have few skills to parent.
• How to use experiential activities that reach parents at their heart, not just their head.
• How to facilitate parenting classes based on Positive Discipline.
Dr. Jane Nelsen is very well received by many school districts, teacher organizations, conferences and parent eduction networkds throughout the world.
For more information on Jane Nelsen or this course and or to sign up for a free newsletter, please visit: www.positivediscipline.org.
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| Dr. Jane Nelsen and Munir Shivji |
