How to Empower Young Children

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Positive discipline is a hot topic these days. The approach sounds ideal but how on earth do we achieve being positive in the heat of the moment? I hear you. For me, being positive does not come easy. I have to practice. A lot.

One of my Montessori instructors gave a great overview by Jody McVittie of Encouraging Solutions inspired by Teaching parenting the positive discipline way: A step-by-step approach to starting and leading parenting classes by Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen. Here are a few of my takeaways!

Positive Discipline

1. Show faith with a reminder: “I have seen you bring your dish to the sink before. I know you can do it.”
2. Be curious: “What ideas do you have to clean up your play area?”
3. Acknowledge Feelings: “I see that you were having fun. It is really hard to stop playing to pick up. Why don’t I pick up the trains and you pick up the track?”
4. Check in with the child’s understanding: “What is supposed to be happening right now?”
5. Cooperation with Choice: “I need your help and you are such a great helper. Do you want to clean up with a song or with silence?”
6. Limit choices: “It is bedtime. Do you want to brush your teeth first or go to the bathroom first?”
7. Be direct looking in the eyes of the child at the child’s level: “It is time to take a bath now.”
8. Non-Verbal language: Place a hand gently on the child’s shoulder and then take the child by the hand leading her to the toys to be picked up. Smile.
9. Empower: “Which sand timer do you want to turn over to give you enough time to pick up your trains?”
10. Connect & redirect: “Working together is more fun. What would you like me to do to help you? What will you do to pick up?”
11. As soon as: “As soon as you sit calmly in your chair, I will bring dinner to the table.”

I hope I inspired you today! Leave a comment! I love hearing from you!
Marnie