These programs provide parents with knowledge about normal development, realistic expectations, and how to keep babies healthy and safe. School psychologists can take a leadership role in developing community support for these programs. School-wide programs to encourage effective discipline Peer mediation, conflict resolution, and social skills training are all proven ways to help children develop responsible behavior. By incorporating regular communication with parents and opportunities for their participation, the effectiveness of these programs can be enhanced. School psychologists can bring leadership, research, and management skills to the development of these programs.
School psychologists have unique opportunities to talk with parents about discipline.
Parent education classes School psychologists are in an ideal position to provide parent training using a variety of research-supported parent education programs. They can help parents develop positive approaches to behavior management including limit setting, use of praise and reinforcement, giving effective commands, reducing negative parent-child interactions, and using negotiating and mediation. Summary Raising self-disciplined children is one challenge among many facing parents in American society today. Parents have little or not training in effective parenting and they are often removed from extended families which have in the past been available to provide support and relief from the stress of child rearing. The National Association of School Psychologists encourages school psychologists and other professionals working with children and families to help parents develop effective discipline practices that are positive, safe, and instructive.