7 Principles of Discipline

1. Tell children what they can do instead of what they can’t do, or focus on the do’s instead of the don’ts.

2. Protect and preserve children’s feelings that they are lovable and capable and that you love them – no matter what!

3. Offer children choices only when you are willing to abide by their decisions. This means stop saying, “OK?” and instead say, “Do you understand?”

4. Change the child’s environment instead of the child’s behavior.

5. Work with children instead of against them. What do they want? What do they need? What are they trying to do or learn?

6. Give children safe limits they can understand.

7. Set a good example. Speak and act only in the ways you want your children to speak and act.