Parenting Guide

Range of Discipline Techniques

Positive Before-The-Fact Techniques

These strategies can help set, communicate, and reinforce boundaries and expectations. Use them to help children learn the difference between positive and negative behavior, or when they are beginning to push boundaries. Each of these techniques acknowledges that children naturally explore the limits of their world and need gentle reminders and motivation to stay within expectations.

Positive After-The-Fact Techniques

These discipline strategies can be used when children push the boundaries or violated expectations. They help guide children back onto the road by teaching them about the consequences of their actions and encouraging responsibility for feelings and actions.

Negative After-The-Fact Techniques

These techniques are ways to punish children for negative behavior, poor choices, and mistakes. They are based on the belief that children need to feel physical or emotional pain in order to correct their behavior in the future. In mentally healthy discipline, the goal is to reduce the use of these techniques in favor of techniques from the prior two categories.

Other Important Terms To Know

CORPORAL
PUNISHMENT

"The use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience bodily pain or discomfort so as to correct or punish the child's behavior."

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE

"Psychological or emotional injury to a child, evidenced by changes in behavior, emotional response, or cognition, including increases in anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggression. Can include yelling, threats, teasing, and withholding love and guidance."

PHYSICAL
ABUSE

"Any non-accidental physical injury to a child, including hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or otherwise causing harm."