Disciplining Your Pre-school Child: Essential Guidelines
In the realm of parenting, maintaining a positive and nurturing environment is key. Experts suggest several effective strategies for positive discipline, focusing on reinforcement of positive behaviors, clear communication, consistency, and teaching emotional regulation skills.
One such strategy is to emphasize "do's" over "don'ts," encouraging children to learn about acceptable behavior, social interactions, and self-control. This approach builds healthy self-esteem and fosters a sense of responsibility.
To further promote this learning environment, a DIY puppet-making activity has been designed, adapted from the Cloverbud Program Curriculum Instruction Materials by Grawemeyer and Kelbaugh (November 2003). Materials needed for this activity include paper lunch sacks or old socks, scissors, glue, markers, and optional materials such as yarn, buttons, fabric scraps, and more. The activity is designed for the whole family, including pets, making it a fun and engaging experience for all.
Once the puppets are complete, each child can introduce their creation to the others and share their favorite things. The activity concludes with a puppet show performance for family and friends, providing an opportunity for children to showcase their creativity and newfound discipline skills.
Remember, praising a child's accomplishments, maintaining a sense of humor, encouraging independence, setting a good example, and putting limits on behavior are all crucial in shaping a child's behavior. Consistency in discipline helps children feel safe and secure, and listening to a child and helping them work through problems builds a strong parent-child relationship.
For more information on child behavior and discipline, visit the Parenting 24/7 website at parenting247.org. It's also essential for parents to be familiar with their child's school's discipline policy and to discuss any discipline problems reported by a teacher with both the teacher and their child.
This activity, along with the principles of positive discipline, aims to create a fun, educational, and bonding experience for the whole family. So grab your materials, gather your loved ones, and start creating! Your puppets are waiting to come to life.
References:
- Brooks, R., & Goldstein, S. (2007). Raising a Self-Disciplined Child: Help your child become more responsible, confident, and resilient. New York: McGraw Hill.
- The Ohio State University Extension. (2021). Positive Discipline Strategies for Parents. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5604
- The Ohio State University Extension. (2021). Disciplining Strong-Willed Children. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5603
- The Ohio State University Extension. (2021). Behavioral Parent Training Programs. Retrieved from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5605
This activity was edited by Rose Fisher Merkowitz, Extension Educator-Family and Consumer Sciences, Highland County; Kathy L. Jelley, Extension Educator-Family and Consumer Sciences, Brown County; and Scott Scheer, Professor and Extension Specialist-Human and Community Resource Development and 4-H Youth Development, The Ohio State University.
The DIY puppet-making activity, drawn from the Cloverbud Program Curriculum Instruction Materials, is an integrative part of the health-and-wellness and 4-H curriculum, promoting not only creativity but also social interactions and emotional regulation skills. This activity is aligned with the principles of positive discipline, fostering self-control and responsibility in children, as well as enhancing the parent-child bond.
By encouraging families to engage in this activity together, parents can provide their children with a platform to showcase their creativity and newfound discipline skills, contributing to their overall health-and-wellness and personal development. This is a great opportunity for parents to apply the strategies of positive discipline while enjoying quality time with their loved ones.
