QUESTION:
Can you give me an easy way to explain to someone the difference between punishment and discipline?
RESPONSE:
PUNISHMENT is what is done TO a person.
DISCIPLINE is what is done FOR and WITH a person.
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COMMENTS FROM OTHERS:
"Discipline is understood in a very limited way by most educators—How do we get these children to behave?—rather than How do we support the people in our charge as they learn to channel and direct their positive energy in ways that accomplish their goals and those of their community?"
—Dr. Richard E. Clark, Chair Department of Educational Psychology, University of Southern California
"To many people, discipline means punishment. But, actually, to discipline means to teach. Rather than punishment, discipline should be a positive way of helping and guiding children to achieve self-control.
—Discipline: A parent’s Guide © 1993 by the National PTA®
