Posts Tagged Positive Approach to Discipline

Discipline Positively

On March 20, 2014 / Discipline

Positivity—thinking and communicating in positive terms—works wonders in drawing others toward us and having them do what we would like them to do. This is as true today and it was generations ago. In fact, I recently read an interesting story that depicts an ancient form of what I would call “discipline positivity.”

In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and every man, woman, and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused. Then each person in the tribe, regardless of age, begins to talk out loud to the accused, one at a time, … >>>

Why a Positive Approach to Discipline Makes Sense

On March 29, 2013 / Discipline, Parenting

Young children are cute and we feel comfortable empowering them; we find it easy and it feels natural to communicate with them in positive ways. But we often treat them differently when the same children become adolescents. Should we?

If a youngster doesn’t know how to ride a bike, we teach.
If a youngster doesn’t know how to mow the lawn, we teach.
If a youngster doesn’t know how to demonstrate good manners, we teach.
If an adolescent doesn’t know how to behave, we teach? Or do we punish?

Few young people are maliciously non-compliant. Too often, instead of using a positive approach to promote responsible behavior, we resort to negative methods. Rather than resorting to punishing, we can create … >>>