How to Discipline a Disobedient Child

According to the "Psychology Today" article, Spare the Rod, using physical discipline for children not only doesn't work but puts the child at risk. Corporal or physical punishment used to discipline children can lead to increased aggression and delinquent behavior. Indeed, punishment in general tends to produce negative behaviors in children. A child who is punished will emotionally act out, physically strike or avoid the person who punishes her. There are alternative ways to get a child to behave, becoming familiar with these can be helpful.

Instructions

    • 1

      Reward your child's good behavior. Rewards or positive reinforcement are the best way to get a child to behave. Positive reinforcement involves offering praise, validation and encouragement when a child follows rules, cooperates and behaves well. Using positive reinforcement builds self-esteem, increases a sense of empowerment and will motivate your child towards behaving well. This is the best way to prevent bad behavior and avoids any type of punishments or consequences.

    • 2

      Talk to your child and try to understand his behavior. If your child is behaving defiantly, try to figure out why. Understanding why your child is acting the way he is and what circumstances caused the behavior can help resolve the issue in the future. For instance, your child may act out because he is tired or sick. A simple conversation can help to clarify this, and you may be able to help him feel better. Explain to him the importance of using words to tell you how he feels, rather than acting out. If he learns that he can get what he needs directly, he may avoid acting out in the future.

    • 3

      Use consequences in ways that make sense and explain them to your child. Rules and consequences may seem pointless if the child does not understand the reasons for them and will do little to prevent future acting out. Taking away privileges is a common consequence that parents use and can be effective, but they should be used judiciously and make sense in connection with what the child has done.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Teach My Child to Behave
      Dealing with the misbehaviors of a precocious child can be enough to drive any parent crazy. At times, it can seem as if attempting to rectify your childs behavior is like continuing to fight a losing battle. No matter how good your intentions may be
    • When Your Child Is a Braggart
      Q I have a smart, 8-year-old boy who is in third grade. Other kids tease him at school because hes small -- hes 4 feet tall, and weighs 45 pounds. One of the mothers told me that he is being teased by his friends because he brags about his knowledge
    • Troubled Adopted Children
      Troubled Adopted Children This section is about more serious behavioral and psychological problems that some adopted children sometimes have, problems that are difficult for them and for their parents. They may stem from earlier abuse or from a lengt