What is Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline is different from conventional discipline.  It has nothing to do with punishment and everything to do with instructing, educating, preparing, training, regulating, skill building and focusing on solutions.  The principles of Positive Discipline will help you and your children feel encouraged and empowered through non-punitive methods which develop valuable social and life skills. These methods are based on:

• Mutual dignity and respect
• Making sure the message of love gets through
• Providing a foundation of kindness and firmness at the same time
• Seeing mistakes as wonderful opportunities to learn
• Getting into the child’s world- understanding that a misbehaving child is a discouraged child, and the importance of dealing with the belief behind the behavior
• Helping children explore the consequences of their choices instead of imposing consequences
• Family meetings to teach problem-solving and communication skills

Five Criteria for Positive Discipline:

1. Does it help children feel a sense of connection?
2. Is respectful and encouraging (kind and firm at the same time)?
3. Is it effective in the long-term?
4. Does it teach valuable social and life skills for good character?
5. Does it invite children to discover how capable they are (encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy)?