Today we are hearing from HKAA's very own PBIS coordinator Sarah Sykora. Positive and discipline used to be words that you'd never see in the same sentence. However thats all changed now. Read on to find out how.
Virtual learning has our kids and teens using devices much more than anyone planned or anticipated. While we are grateful to be able to use this technology to advance student learning, it leaves children craving human attention and affection. Children and teens need personal interaction with parents more than ever. To enhance the quality time you spend with your child(ren), consider a proactive discipline strategy that includes all members of your family.
To begin, parents first communicate with each other, developing a framework for discipline in the household. Single parents may choose to ask a trusted friend or family member to engage in this process with them. Accountability helps us to reach our goals.
Parents may discuss questions like:
What chores will kids do?
How much screen time will we allow?
What rewards can we offer our child(ren)/teen(s) when they do what is expected?
What kinds of consequences are effective for our child(ren)/teen(s)?
Once parents have a common vision and understanding of how the household should run, it is important to offer children the ability to share their ideas too. Including kids in the conversation is crucial to developing their cooperation and building trust between family members.
Parents and children can work together to:
Build a schedule for chores, homework, free time, & bedtime.
Develop a reward system so that children can see and feel that they are reaching their full potential.
Decide on consequences for not following the home rules and expectations.
Teaching children clear expectations and setting up predictable routines is a proactive approach to home discipline. Routines provide stability. They set children up for success because they can understand the practical steps they need to take in order to reach an expectation or complete a task. Routines are established by taking a positive approach to discipline, which aims to prevent misbehaviors before they happen.
Regular family meetings can help everyone to voice what is going well about the family plan, and what can be improved. While sticking to consequences and rewards is vital to home discipline, being flexible and communicating about the changing needs of your child are also important to growing together as a family. Investing time and energy in positive discipline practices equips children, teens, and parents to have more meaningful relationships and better communication both now and in the years to come.
