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What is Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline is a program designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. It teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for both children and adults (including parents, teachers, childcare providers, youth workers, and others).

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.

Positive Discipline is all about learning to discipline effectively:

FIVE CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE

Effective discipline…

1) Helps children feel a sense of connection. (Belonging and significance)

2) Is mutually respectful and encouraging. (Kind and firm at the same time.)

3) 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.)

4) 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.)

5) Invites children to discover how capable they are. (Encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy.)

The Positive Discipline Parenting Class aims to help parents develop and foster effective approaches to their parenting and the class includes the following components:

•  Mutual respect
•  Identifying children’s beliefs behind their behaviors
•  Learning effective communication and problem-solving skills
• Disciplining to teach (rather than be permissive or to punish)
•  Focusing on solutions instead of punishment
• Encouragement (instead of just praise)
• Routines
•  Family Meetings
• Positive Time-out
• Special Time
• And more!!!