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Instructive vs. Punitive Discipline
November 6, 2008
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
-Aristotle
-Aristotle
"My dictionary gives two major definitions for the term discipline. One of these is 'training that develops self control, character or orderliness, and efficiency.' The other is, 'treatment that corrects and punishes.' These definitions start from two quite different conceptions of the child and of childrearing. The first begins with the idea that children are born neither social nor anti-social and have to be trained to acquire the rules and routines of healthy interpersonal exchange. In contrast, the other definition starts off with the idea that children come into the world with anti-social pre-dispositions (original sin, if you will) that have to be extinguished. One idea of childrearing and discipline is, therefore, instructive; it is a matter of teaching children social skills and attitudes. The other conception of childrearing and discipline is punitive, a matter of stamping out misbehavior through punishment.
"The difference in our starting conceptions of discipline is important because it determines how we look at, and treat, what we as adults label misbehavior. First of all, and most importantly, when we view discipline as a learning experience we will look at so-called misbehavior as an opportunity for instruction. Secondly, we will also appreciate that discipline presents a creative challenge for which there are no ready-made solutions, only a number of possibilities. Finally, when we view discipline as a teaching moment, we will also appreciate that children learn differently at different age levels and that we need to adjust our instruction accordingly. We cannot teach infants and young children about prejudice in the same way that we would approach this issue with adolescents. Instructive discipline is developmentally appropriate."
Facing the Challenge is an instructional, interactive 2 DVD set for teachers working with young children with challenging behaviors. The program includes over two hours of training and documentary video designed to help teachers learn how to prevent children’s use of difficult behaviors and how to develop intervention strategies to work with children who use challenging behaviors to meet their needs.
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Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsBeaumont, California, United States
I am trying to find the booklet by Lois Robbert entitled "Time Out Is Out". Does anyone know where I can purchase some of these?
Thank you for any help that you can give!
Melodie
County of Head Start
Yorktown, Virginia, United States
The problem with the second definition, "treatment that corrects and punishes, is a cultural logical error. Disciplining IS about treatment that corrects behavior. Our logical error comes from the automatic association that it is necessary to punish in order to correct a behavior. The statement would have be more accurate and present a healthy attitude if it simply stated “treatment that corrects” and stopped there. It may take longer to apply more operant methods of waiting to reinforce socially acceptable behaviors, but it can be effective. Unfortunately, much damage can result while patiently applying operant, so-called “permissive childrearing” methods. The real trick comes in combining the first definition with the second; that is, to teach with the intent of correcting. What educator has not already learned the principles of learning and motivation? That is what our society needs to resolve on to be able to raise our children with correction while ultimately nurturing self-discipline. Thank you, David Elkind, I agree, too!
County of Head Start
Yorktown, Virginia, United States
The problem with the second definition, "treatment that corrects and punishes, is a cultural logical error. Disciplining IS about treatment that corrects behavior. Our logical error comes from the automatic association that it is necessary to punish in order to correct a behavior. The statement would have be more accurate and present a healthy attitude if it simply stated “treatment that corrects” and stopped there. It may take longer to apply more operant methods of waiting to reinforce socially acceptable behaviors, but it can be effective. Unfortunately, much damage can result while patiently applying operant, so-called “permissive childrearing” methods. The real trick comes in combining the first definition with the second; that is, to teach with the intent of correcting. What educator has not already learned the principles of learning and motivation? That is what our society needs to resolve on to be able to raise our children with correction while ultimately nurturing self-discipline. Thank you, David Elkind, I agree, too!
woodbridge, United States
I agree that discipline needs to developmentally appropriate and instructive. However, I also believe that children are not born civilized (we are all born prone to sinful behavoir) and it is our job, as adults and caretakers to teach children how to become positve members of our families, schools and society by establishing responsible and safe limits. Failure to do so is deserting the child. Each challange is indeed a teaching opportunity. Occasional challanging behavoir is a normal part of a child's development. I disagree that people who believe we are born with the ability to sin or behave in negative and hurtful ways only use punitive punishment. That is a hurtful and divisive comment. As a private Christian school we use the same discipline techniques as out-lined by NAEYC along with a time-out technque as described by Dr. Terry Brazleton in his book "Toddlers and Parents", pg. 158 & 159. This technique is used to remove a child from a stressful or over-whelming situation in order for the child to regain self-control with the help of an adult. We do not angily plop a child down in a chair, nor do we use humilating or demeaning punishment. We work with the child and his or her family in a nurturing and loving way. We do not feel that challanging behavoir is something to be forcefully eradicated or stamped out as the article inplied. These kind of comments hurt the reputation of the many good,private,christain schools out there who are doing a great job of loving and caring for children. Yes, there are bad private chrsitain schools just like there are bad any other kind of preschool, accredited or not. I have heard, seen and worked in accredited centers where they may not have used time-out but their techniques were harsh and punitive nonetheless. It is personal character, education, expereince and training, not belief of origin, that makes the difference! Inappropriate discipline techniques are alive and well everywhere!
United States
Who wrote this? This is the simplest approach to a complex issue that I have ever seen. When you have a simple answer to a complex issue it is usually wrong. The author is making large generalities and stupid assumptions. I cannot believe this one got through the reviewers and is posted as a legitimate article. I'm disappointed.
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