There are a variety of techniques parents can employ to teach their children. From hands on to subliminal and osmosis, the options are many. Intimidation, however, should never be one of them.

The utilization of intimidation for the purpose of teaching may give the illusion of results, but over the long term, it is an ineffective and damaging technique. Intimidation produces nothing beneficial to you or your child.

Intimidated children are simply responding to painful mental stimuli. They are not learning; they are reacting. Learning is only achieved by traversing through trials and errors. If you look back over your own life experiences, you may agree that you've learned much from making mistakes.

Intimidation breeds resentment and rebellion. It tears down self-confidence and destroys the natural instinct all children posses to try. Any effort they display is nothing more than a sub-conscious attempt at stopping the intimidation. Absorbing and retaining any subject matter is rarely part of the equation.

Intimidation instills fear and takes away the much needed ability to free-think. It creates an invisible and sometimes insurmountable wall between you and your child. They will no doubt, do their best to be obedient, hoping to be emotionally close to you. This however will pass.

As they enter into those tough and lonely teenage years, their efforts will turn from trying to reach you to turning away from you. They will look to others for comfort and guidance; having become certain, turning to you will only lead to more intimidation.

When children are subjected to intimidation, they learn it is the proper way to interact with others. The chances they will become bullies, difficult employees or bosses increases substantially. They inevitably will attempt to rule the lives of those they interact with in much the same way you interacted with them.

I personally find the use of words intimidation and teach in the same sentence to be preposterous. Intimidation produces only obedience. It has no use in teaching.

Teaching is much better approached with patience and understanding. Find your child's strengths and exploit them to the fullest. In doing so you will foster their self-esteem, build their self-confidence, and create an atmosphere much more befitting the learning process.

Learn more about this author, Trudi Buck.
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