WHETHER facing a toddler temper tantrum or an insolent adolescent, every parent struggles to find the best way to improve the behaviour of their children. Many parents say the methods they use, however, simply don’t work. The tantrum continues until the child tires of it; the teenager ends up grounded for what seems the rest of his or her life.

Positive reinforcement

Part of the problem may be that too often we think discipline means punishment. When we have this attitude, the punishments we use can end up reinforcing the bad behaviour instead of correcting it.

The most effective discipline usually doesn’t involve any punishment at all, but instead focuses on positive reinforcement when children are being good. Everyone loves being noticed and praised.

 What is discipline?