Children must learn rules and appropriate behavior to get along in the world as they grow. And parental discipline is a key component of that process. It's a parent's job to set expectations and consequences to help their children learn how to become responsible adults.
Appropriateness
Take your child's age into account when you're developing a discipline plan. Toddlers want to touch everything and should be given a safe environment they are free to explore without being frequently scolded. When they do misbehave, children who are younger than 6 or 7 should receive immediate consequences. Long-term consequences such as losing privileges are appropriate for older children.
Consistency
Parents must be consistent and predictable. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology recommends that the parents of a child discuss their methods, techniques and ideas with each other to ensure that the child gets the same message. It's important that parents support each other and reinforce the rules.
Consequences
Children learn by experimenting and testing the limits. When a child breaks a rule, consequences should be aimed at the behavior and not at the child's self esteem. For example, a logical consequence of fighting with his siblings over a video game is telling him that he cannot play the game for a few days.
Effectiveness
Effective discipline yields a child who becomes a responsible, self-directed adult. When the discipline makes sense and the consequences are logical, he grows up to be better adjusted than peers who suffered physical abuse or inconsistent parenting.
Respect
Children tend to respect their parents' decision-making more when they are respected and allowed to disagree and offer their own opinions about various rules. Occasionally, children should be given the opportunity to frame a solid argument. Parents should remain flexible enough to change their rules when appropriate.
Models
Parents model the most effective kind of discipline. An atmosphere in which children are told to behave one way while parents behave in an entirely different way breeds contempt. A good example is far more effective than harsh punishment, according to the National Institutes of Health.
