Keeping a child in discipline

Contributed by : Asha Lalwani, Juhi Mishra

Discipline teaches your child how to behave and how not to behave in social and routine situations. It also lays the foundation for the kind of adult the child is going to be.

Discipline teaches your child how to behave and how not to behave in social and routine situations. It also lays the foundation for the kind of adult the child is going to be. Discipline can never be taught just by punishment. Instead, discipline should be taught by talking, listening and showcasing the behaviour you want your child to learn. Babies under the age of 3 do not really understand good or bad behaviour. Building a routine such as sleeping on time and waking up on time, eating home cooked meals, etc. can be done with toddlers.

You can inculcate disciplined behaviour among toddlers by:

Making family rules and sticking by to them yourself as well. Like talking politely to each other, taking care of each other, everyone helps in household work, taking care of own belongings.
Appreciate your child’s effort for the little good things they learn. Like when they keep shoes or bag at the respective places, appreciate it. This will motivate them to keep up the good behaviour.
Do not shout and yell at children in public or private for misbehaviour, instead make a note of the incident and talk about it during bed-time. Ask the child and let them answer about right and wrong behaviour, this will make them conscious about their behaviour next time.
Appreciate good behaviour. Make a chart and give them stars. Let them earn stars by depicting good behaviour example: helping at home, putting their things at the right place, cleaning their room etc.). This will make them understand that it’s important to hold on to routine and good habits in life.

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