Making a Positive Impact
on our Children’s Futures
What is Positive Discipline?
Positive Discipline is based on Dr. Jane Nelsen’s best selling books that provide tools for Parenting and Class Room Management in the form of respectful, long-term lessons taught through experiential activities.
“Where did parents get the crazy idea that in order to make children behave, parents should make them feel shame, humiliation, or even pain? Children are more motivated to cooperate, learn new skills, and offer affection and respect when they feel encouraged, connected, and loved.”
― Jane Nelsen, Positive Discipline
Additionally, research shows that in order for children to successfully thrive and contribute to society they must first feel like they are part of a community. Positive Discipline models non-punitive reinforcement that focuses on behavioral solutions instead of punishment. Jane Nelsen gives five criteria for “effective discipline that teaches”:
Five Criteria For Positive Discipline
- Is it kind and firm at the same time? (Respectful and encouraging)
- Does it help children feel a sense of belonging and significance? (Connection)
- Is it effective long-term? (Punishment works short term, but has negative long- term results.)
- Does it teach valuable social and life skills for good character? (Respect, concern for others, problem-solving, accountability, contribution, cooperation)
- Does it invite children to discover how capable they are and to use their personal power in constructive ways?
While the results gained make this endeavor a worthwhile and beneficial experience, not all parents know where to start. Luckily, our communities have an ally with the Austin Parenting Network.
Children are predisposed to interact and connect with a community. Fostering and nurturing these desires teaches effective discipline through problem solving and encouragement. This instills a sense of self worth that drives children to continuously improve themselves. Therefore, by praising the effort given opposed to the results, children gain long term self esteem through their own problem solving capabilities.
“One of the best ways of becoming an effective parent—or, for that matter, an effective human being—is to understand the perceptions of other people, to be able to ‘get into their world.’ ”
―Jane Nelsen, Positive Discipline
Positive Discipline Certification
Positive Discipline also provides an environment of consistency for parents, educators, and children. By implementing these kind yet firm corrective teachings, adults can still model firmness that respects the needs of any child.
Certified Positive Discipline trainers within your area can work with schools and communities to teach members the valuable techniques. Since these trainings are inexpensive and accessible, diverse sets of community groups and education types (i.e. private, religious, and public) should have assess to these proven concepts and tools. This obvious need lead to the development of the Greater Austin Parenting Network.
Interested in become Positive Discipline Certified? Any parent, educator, or mental health clinician can become certified in PD.