Smart “D”: Keys to Help Kids

Evidently families (perhaps the whole country) are searching for Positive Discipline Guidelines to help children see the sense in acting a certain way and de-stressing family life.  With her permission here are more principles. Thank you for phone calls, e-mails, and stopping us at the grocery store to request more of these principles.

   Families can find the complete list on Dr. Katharine Kersey’s blog. Do a Google search for Katharin Kersey. Her blog will be listed. It is available to print out and send around the world to loved ones.  Her book for teachers is also listed there.

  It is a brilliant list for the refrigerator.  Families can use it throughout the day and give as gifts to new parents and teachers. See grandparentsteachtoo.org and wnmufm.org for more “Learning Through the Seasons” information.

Keys to Help

  Humor Principle- Make a game out of it.  Laugh together a lot. (”How would a rabbit brush his teeth?”

When/Then-Abuse it/Lose it Principle-“When you have finished your homework, then you may watch TV.”(No homework-no TV.)

Privacy Principle-Never embarrass a child in front of others.  Always move to a private place to talk when there is a problem especially in a restaurant, grocery store, classroom, or mall.  Create such a place in your home. Sometimes sitting in the car to talk things over is a good idea.

Satiation Principle-Allow the behavior to continue if it is not dangerous, destructive, embarrassing, or an impediment to learning until the child is tired of doing it.

Shrug Principle-Learn to shrug instead of arguing. The shrug means,” I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is—end of discussion.”

 Switch Gears Principle - When the unexpected occurs, look for a way to make the most of the situation. For example, if you have a long wait, suggest that each of you close your eyes and listen for what you can hear, or look around and find something you have never noticed before.

Take a Break Principle - Tell the child to "take a break" and think about what she could do differently that would work better or be more constructive. Give her a place to go until she is ready to come back and behave more productively. (This could be a place that you have created in your home or classroom that is comfortable and quiet. A timer is sometimes helpful. The child can determine how long she might need to reflect, refocus and calm down.) The child is in control here. She can decide when she is ready to rejoin the group or try again.

    Parenting Awareness of Michigan will sponsor a national speaker Dr. Deborah Gilboa “ Ask Dr. G” October 16 at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, Michigan.  She will speak on the 3 R’s of Parenting: Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience.  Register at preventionnetwork.org/pam.

Photos: Fran Darling: fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest