LEARNING HOW TO BE GOOD PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Children come into this world helpless and unable to thrive without us. Our job is to love and nurture them and to teach them how to live.

Discipline means "to teach and train". We need to be good disciplinarians, to acquire skills that will accomplish the goal we set for ourselves - that of helping the child learn to control and set standards for himself.

There are several ways we can "make" children behave. One is by using force. Another is by using fear. Still another is by punishment. Unfortunately, these three methods imply that the caregiver is superior and should overpower the child. Rather than leading to a child with inner control, they make the child angry, resentful, fearful and dependent upon force.

There is another way to discipline children. Though it may not appear to get the immediate results we might like, it is safer, more natural and humanistic. It is based on the assumption that children are by nature good, fair, and honest and ultimately capable of responding to that which is good, fair and honest within us. This method is to treat the child with respect. It is treating the child as if he is as important a human being as you are. It is treating him with the same respect with which you wish for him to treat others, you, and himself.

_Don't Take It Out On Your Kids_ is an effort to show how we can parent and teach effectively without using force, fear, and/or punishment, but rather by treating the child with respect. By offering parents and teachers proven ways to reinforce good behavior and minimize misbehavior it is hoped that the vicious cycle of child abuse and neglect will be broken.

HOW CAN WE TREAT OUR CHILDREN WITH RESPECT?

_We can treat our children with respect by using discipline techniques that teach them self-control and responsibility_.

*Discipline Techniques that Often Backfire*

-Embarrassing                           -Repeating commands
-Humiliating                            -Pleading, begging
-Spanking (physical punishment)         -Ordering
-Taking away favored things             -Nagging
-Punishing psychologically              -Labeling
-Engaging in power struggles            -Arguing
-Rewarding misbehavior                  -Threatening
-Giving in to undue commands            -Being vague
-Allowing child to manipulate adult     -Fussing
-Saying what you don't mean             -Being inconsistent
-Expecting child to read your mind      -Losing your cool
-Allowing dangerous, destructive,       -Making child feel guilty
 embarrassing behavior to continue

-Following through with what you say     -Being consistent
-Modeling appropriate behavior           -Being firm yet kind/fair
-Clearly stating expectations before     -Giving a child a choice
 child has engaged in undesirable act     only when you intend to
-Rewarding positive behavior and          to accept that choice
 ignoring negative behavior (except      -Making the child feel
 when dangerous, destructive, or          worthwhile, liked and
 embarrassing)                            successful
-Providing consequence for misbehavior   -Providing when/then
 immediately after undesirable act is     statements; "When you
 performed                                have...then you may."
-Providing if/then statements; "If you   -Abuse it/lose it
 have...then you may."                   -Redirecting misbehavior
-Removing child from the                 -Shaping non-existent
 situation                                behaviors

When children break the rules and their misbehavior cannot be ignored, it is important that the teacher have a system that is understood by everyone. This system should handle the misbehavior in the least reinforcing way possible. Ideally a private place should be created in a classroom where a child can be alone, to think and pull himself together. Such as:

YELLOW CARD: Warning. Return when ready.

GREEN CARD: Return when given permission.

BLUE CARD: Write about behavior and develop a plan to improve it.

RED CARD: Remove from room.

*What to do in the Grocery Store to Help a Child Behave*

-Give child a responsibility (Match coupons with the labels)
-Ignore inappropriate behavior unless it is dangerous,
 destructive or embarrassing to you or a bother to others
-Remove child to a private place to discuss misbehavior
-Praise another child's appropriate behavior
-Play a game with the child (Let's count all the
 tennis shoes we see on people's feet)
-Discuss rules before entering store
-Bring a nutritious snack for child to eat during the shopping
-Bring a story book for child to look at
-Select a secret word or signal which you can both use to get
 the immediate attention of the other
-Don't let the child out of your sight
-Reinforce appropriate behavior
-Bring a favorite toy, blanket, etc... to help make him
 feel secure
-Don't bring children who are tired or hungry to the store
-Role play at home how to act at the grocery store
-Sing songs with him
-Give child something of yours to play with -- keys,
 pocket book, etc.
-Tell child you will have to leave him at home next
 time -- then do it
-Stop unacceptable behavior as soon as it occurs
-Don't ever buy the child a treat from the store
 where he threw a fit
-Wear comfortable shoes and clothes to the grocery
 store (both parent and child)
-As your child is able, let him comparative shop for you
-Discuss pictures on the grocery items
-Take an older child to help you
-Let child know it is a privilege to go shopping with you

_We can treat our children with respect by helping them develop
 their self-esteem and encourage their growth.

-Show children that you like them by smiling at them, hugging
 them and speaking to them in a positive way.
-Read out loud together as a family.
-Use positive reinforcement to encourage responsible behavior.
-Help them to learn responsibility by requiring them to
 complete tasks.
-Set aside a time each day to spend with each child individually.
-Help children to develop organizational skills by providing
 space for toys, books, schoolwork, etc.
-Help them to discover their own special gifts by letting them
 develop an interest in activities such as sports, music,
 dance, drama, etc.
-Encourage their independence.
-Get to know their teachers.
-Do not embarrass children by yelling at them in public.
-Allow your child to express his feelings.
-Listen to your child and look him in the eyes when he is
 talking to you.
-Do not set your expectations so high that the chance of
 failure prevents your child from trying.
-Encourage your child to be proud of his name, his ideas and
 his work.
-Give your child recognition for the effort he makes, even though
 it may not come up to your expectations.
-Answer your child's questions openly, honestly and immediately,
 if possible.
-Take your child with you on trips to run errands and involve him
 in decision-making.
-Build a file of mementos of things in which your child
 participated.
-Point out and appreciate unique qualities in your child that
 make him special.
-Do not compare one child to another.

-Show children you like them.
-Provide a model for intellectual curiosity.
-Reward responsible behavior and tasks you ask them
 to complete.
-Require your child to complete certain tasks starting at
 an early age.
-Set aside time each day to give your child  your undivided
 attention.
-Encourage organization at an early age.
-Help your child discover his natural gifts.
-Work with your child's teacher.
-Encourage your child's growing independence and autonomy
 (ability to become self-reliant).
_We can treat our children with respect by letting them
 solve their own problems.

1. State the problem.
2. Brainstorm the alternatives.
3. Select one possible solution.
4. Implement a solution.
5. Reassess the plan.
6. Start over, if unsuccessful.

Katharine C. Kersey is a professor and chairperson of the Department of Child Studies and Special Education of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She writes a weekly parenting column for the _Virginia-Pilot and Ledger Star_ and the _Roanoke Times_, as well as the "Dear Zoom" column for children. She is also the author of _The Art of Sensitive Parenting_ and _Helping Your Child Handle Stress_.

To get more information about Dr. Kersey's books, you may call this toll free number: 1-800-451-7771 or call 1-703-709-0006.

Dr. Kersey's first book, _The Art of Sensitive Parenting_ has been developed into a comprehensive audio program. You may call this toll free number: 1-800-227-0600.