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Discipline Vs. Punishment
Discipline (Guidance) and Punishment are Very Different
Often the words punishment and discipline are used to mean the same thing, but they are actually very different. You should distinguish discipline or guidance from punishment. The goal of guidance is in educating and redirecting children. It emphasizes cooperation.
Punishment means controlling children’s behavior through fear. The goal of punishment is hurting, shaming, or intimidating children. It makes children behave because they are afraid of what will happen to them if they do not. Children who are punished are likely to behave only when someone is watching. Their goal is to avoid being punished, rather than learning to value acceptable behavior for itself. Punishment can lead to or reinforce bad feelings children have about themselves. Punishment is an inappropriate form of discipline, and has no place in a child care center.
You must not:
Any form of corporal punishment is against licensing regulations.
Inappropriate forms of discipline are a source of stress and anxiety for children. It makes them feel badly about themselves, angry at the caregiver and afraid of being punished again.
There are times when you will be genuinely angry at a child. Whenever you express your anger at what a child does, it is important that you make it clear you are angry at the child’s behavior, not the child as a person. Do not let your anger be an excuse to be out of control, abusing the child either physically or verbally.
Discipline (Guidance) and Punishment are Very Different
Often the words punishment and discipline are used to mean the same thing, but they are actually very different. You should distinguish discipline or guidance from punishment. The goal of guidance is in educating and redirecting children. It emphasizes cooperation.
Punishment means controlling children’s behavior through fear. The goal of punishment is hurting, shaming, or intimidating children. It makes children behave because they are afraid of what will happen to them if they do not. Children who are punished are likely to behave only when someone is watching. Their goal is to avoid being punished, rather than learning to value acceptable behavior for itself. Punishment can lead to or reinforce bad feelings children have about themselves. Punishment is an inappropriate form of discipline, and has no place in a child care center.
You must not:
- Shame a child
- Call a child names
- Shout at a child
- Ridicule a child in front of a group
- Allow the group to make fun of a child
- Put an older child in a playpen, crib, or high chair
- Make a child wear a dunce cap
- Make a child put his face against the wall
- Spank a child or slap a child’s hand
- Bite children
- Withhold food
Any form of corporal punishment is against licensing regulations.
Inappropriate forms of discipline are a source of stress and anxiety for children. It makes them feel badly about themselves, angry at the caregiver and afraid of being punished again.
There are times when you will be genuinely angry at a child. Whenever you express your anger at what a child does, it is important that you make it clear you are angry at the child’s behavior, not the child as a person. Do not let your anger be an excuse to be out of control, abusing the child either physically or verbally.
The course does not "save" your progress. Use the checklist provided to track your progress, and click on the link in the menu to return to where you left off in the training.
