by Gabby Bugwadia

Created on: March 06, 2010   Last Updated: November 02, 2010

Discipline entails bringing order in a child's life by the use of a combination of right thoughts, words and actions. Effective discipline contributes to a peaceful, loving and pleasant environment at home. And who can do this better than the parents?

Yes, it is the parents who can play a critical role and introduce discipline into their child’s life. It can therefore be rightly said that parent attitude is the key to effective discipline. When discipline is perceived as a part of parent's expression of love, it becomes a positive driving force in the learning process and healthy all-round development of children. Children learn discipline at home through the example of 

parents and family members who are instrumental in empowering the child to develop good habits and inculcate personal responsibility for his/her behavior.

Indeed, parent attitude is the key to effective discipline. It is primarily the parents who have the power to influence their children- - -especially in the early years of child development.  It is their parenting style, their attitude to life in general, and to child-discipline in particular, that can play a significant role in every aspect of a child's life.  

Let us now consider some of the key factors parents can  incorporate while disciplining their child:

* Consistency

Parents would first need to build a framework with emphasis on caring, wherein effective discipline could be practiced. It would be easier for  parents to empower their child with self-discipline within the confines of a secure environment. Consistency in handling the child by conforming to set schedules, is crucial for letting the child know what socially acceptable behavior is. Switching from too much discipline to too little discipline, can confuse the child and affect the child’s potential to concentrate and learn. A child, who has not had consistent limits set to his behavior, may slip into dangerous and harmful situations.

* Encouragement

Encouragement can set a positive tone to child discipline. Children need encouragement at every stage of development. A negative approach could affect a child adversely and lead him/her to adopt a defensive attitude. It is important for parents to identify and praise positive behavior of the child. This reinforces and encourages the child to perform better. Parents can effectively manifest approval of the child's behavior, with spontaneous praise and occasional

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