The following is reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Daycare Providers area. Helping a child to behave in an acceptable manner is a necessary part of raising the child well. Discipline varies at different ages.
Wise parents can in their disciplining activities use children's desire to please.
When parents show joy and approval for behavior that please them, this reinforces good behavior in the child. When parents show disapproval of dangerous or unpleasant behaviors at the early stages, they are more likely to be successful when the child is older. The way the parent corrects a child or adolescent for misbehavior should make sense to the youngster, and not be too strict that the child or adolescent cannot later feel the parent's love and good intentions. Children and adolescents can and do anger parents, and parents need good self-control when they are angry. For older children, there should be clear expectations, agreed upon by both parents and clearly told to the child or adolescent.