UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLINE.

 

UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLINE.

Written By Precious Chukwu

Prior to this write up, I have written to vehemently establish that abuse is different from discipline by defining both words and itemizing their types.

In this piece, discipline is succinctly and copiously  discussed and one of its types( PREVENTIVE DISCIPLINE) is lucidly explicated. I hope you find this educating.

Recall that by definition, DISCIPLINE is any measure put in place to forge the right attitude and way of life in children.

In other words, discipline is a set of training given to children in view of correcting their wrongs or encouraging their rights.

Hence, discipline incorporates reward and punishment. However, the punishment in discipline is not grievous but gracious.

Among the three types of discipline highlighted in the previous writing, PREVENTIVE DISCIPLINE is worth considering first.

This is because it is key for raising a cultured child. And its rightful application  prepares a child for life rather than repair a child in life.

So, what is PREVENTIVE DISCIPLINE?

Simply put, it is the measures put in place to prevent children from misbehaving by successfully keeping them engaged so that they have little or no time thinking of misbehaving.

This type of Discipline is used to keep children engaged and busy. To make it even more interesting, a gift should be promised the child if the child is able to complete the task given(reward for diligence) or a child can be deprive of a pleasurable activity like playing with peers if a task is not completed (punishment for indolence).

The aim of Preventive discipline is ensuring that a negative action does not occur at all.

SOME FORM OF PREVENTIVE DISCIPLINE ARE:

1.) Showing interest in children's work.

2.) Engaging children with questions and comments.

3.) Using subtle, non-verbal cues such as eye contact and head shaking to correct a child.

4.) Using physical proximity to children as a way of getting them back on task. This is done by going close to check on them and make sure they are doing something right.

5.) Providing suggestions when they become stuck on a question or a task.

Let me conclude by saying that a child can be made completely well-behaved if parents and caregivers strategically and skillfully applied preventive discipline rather than using pejorative comments or force and without resulting to abuse of any form.

Moulding a child to a responsible adult requires knowledge. And I hope the one you find in this writing will be carefully applied.