Foster and Adoptive Parenting

Session 5

Unit Five: Discipline vs. Punishment

Techniques for Positive Discipline Activity:

This section will focus on the 12 "Positive Discipline Techniques."

For each of the following behaviors, select a discipline techique and type the letter of the technique you would use in the blank provided. Then, be sure to talk to your trainers about your choices.

Behavior		"Positive Discipline" Technique
Lying		Restitution: Child does something specific and concrete to make up for the misdeed.
Stealing		Choices: When asking the child to do something, give them some choice of actions as long as the outcome is acceptable.
Misses Curfew		Redirection: If child is acting inappropriately, encourage alternative activities or behaviors.
Throws Tantrum		Time-out: When child’s behavior threatens to get out of control, have child take a break to calm down. Make this a pause or break in the action. It must be adjusted to fit developmental versus chronological age of child.
Argues		Time-in: Keep child within sight or spend more time with them. Have them be “helpers” with whatever you are doing.
Claims Injustice		Base privileges on behavior: Link greater autonomy for child to demonstration of good judgment and control.
Completes Homework		Behavioral contract: Establishing specific concrete rewards for specific behaviors. A system for allowing child to earn points that will “buy” rewards or privileges. This technique should only be used when child has sufficient control over his or her behavior. Some children may not be able to act in their own best interests no matter what the reward.
Bites another child		Catch them being good: Simple recognition of “positive” behavior can be amazingly effective.
Abuses a pet		Natural Consequences: Outcome when no parental interventions take place, i.e., school-age child pulls cat’s tail, gets scratched; teen doesn’t do laundry chore, so has no clean clothes for school.
Throwing blocks		Logical Consequences: One that connects penalty directly to the misbehavior so it is seen as a predictable consequence, i.e., ride bike beyond established boundaries, lose privilege of riding bike for a day.
		Point System: Assignment of points to positive behavior, accumulation of points results in a reward or privilege.
		Choose your battles: Sometimes not reacting to, or ignoring misbehavior is an effective response. You are in control when you choose not to react.

If you find you need more space or you don't have access to a printer, remember that you can use your Resource Guide or plain paper to complete these questions.

	Write your reasons for selecting each technique for each behavior:
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Print out your responses to share with the trainers. Or, if you didn't have access to a printer, email this page. Type your name in the blank below and then hit the email button.