Parenting With Positive Discipline

By Carmen Benton, LifeWorks Parenting Educator

What is Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline is a program designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. Based on the best selling Positive Discipline books by Dr. Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott, and others, it teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for both children and adults (including parents, teachers, childcare providers, youth workers, and others).

Recent research tells us that children are "hardwired" from birth to connect with others, and that children who feel a sense of connection to their community, family, and school are less likely to misbehave. To be successful, contributing members of their community, children must learn necessary social and life skills. Positive Discipline is based on the understanding that discipline must be taught and that discipline teaches.

Jane Nelsen gives the following criteria for "effective discipline that teaches":

FIVE CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE

Effective discipline…
1) Helps children feel a sense of connection. (Belonging and significance)

2) Is mutually respectful and encouraging. (Kind and firm at the same time.)

3) Is effective long - term. (Considers what the child is thinking, feeling, learning, and deciding about himself and his world - and what to do in the future to survive or to thrive.)

4) Teaches important social and life skills . (Respect, concern for others, problem solving, and cooperation as well as the skills to contribute to the home, school or larger community.)

5) Invites children to discover how capable they are. ((Encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy.)

The Positive Discipline Parenting and Classroom Management models are aimed at developing mutually respectful relationships.

Positive Discipline teaches adults to employ kindness and firmness at the same time, and is neither punitive nor permissive.

The tools and concepts of Positive Discipline include:

Mutual respect. Adults model firmness by respecting themselves and the needs of the situation, and kindness by respecting the needs of the child.

Identifying the belief behind the behavior. Effective discipline recognizes the reasons kids do what they do and works to change those beliefs, rather than merely attempting to change behavior.

Effective communication and problem solving skills.

Discipline that teaches (and is neither permissive nor punitive).

Focusing on solutions instead of punishment.

Encouragement (instead of praise). Encouragement notices effort and improvement, not just success, and builds long-term self-esteem and empowerment..

Unique characteristics of the Positive Discipline Model also include:

Teaching adults and students through experiential activities.

Creating opportunity to practice new skills and to have fun learning by doing.

Classroom discipline programs and parent education programs that are consistent. Parents, teachers, and childcare providers can work together to provide a secure, consistent environment for children.

Parenting With Positive Discipline

This 5 week course is for parents who are looking for long-term parenting tools that will encourage their children to think for themselves, become more responsible and have a greater respect for themselves and others. The teachings of Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelsen, are filled with non-punitive, respectful methods that will incorporate kindness and firmness into parenting, help parents get to the core of their child's misbehaviour, bring more joy into the home and give parents a sense of accomplishment.

Facilitator:

Carmen Benton MA, Dip Tch, Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator

Dates and Times:

Positive Discipline courses are held regularly at the LifeWorks villa. Please let me know if you would like to host a course at your house with a group of friends, this can be the best way to learn. Please also let me know if you would like to host a Positive Discipline Course at your school or nursery.

Location:
LifeWorks Counselling and Development Villa
996 Al Wasal Road
Umm Sequiem 1
Dubai

Description:

These five session classes are for parents who are looking for long-term parenting skills that will encourage their children to think for themselves, become more responsible and have a greater respect for themselves and others. The teachings of Positive Discipline are filled with non-punitive, respectful methods that will incorporate kindness and firmness into parenting, help parents get to the core of their child's misbehaviour, bring more joy into the home and give parents a sense of accomplishment.

Format of the course:
This course is 5 weeks long and works best if it is focused on a group of parents with children the same age.

Positive Discipline for:

The First Three Years

Preschoolers

For 6 - 12 year olds

For Teenagers

For the Classroom

Why not get a group of your friends together and sign up for a Positive Discipline Course. Imagine the benefits to your children if all of their friends parents were also using the same strategies. This supportive environment promotes change. I would be happy to come to your home or school if you would prefer this.

Cost: Dhs850 per person, which includes a copy of the age appropriate Positive Discipline book by Jane Nelsen.

To Register:   email to : carmen@lifeworksdubai.com or phone: 050 7384719

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