A couple of weeks ago I shared a study in which they had found that children and adolescents were less violent in countries where corporal punishment is prohibited. Thus checking what we have repeated many times and also support other studies: the scourges do not work and can even harm children.
Now, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clearly explains why they are against corporal punishment, and also shares 10 keys to educate positively.
Through an article entitled "Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children" and published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the AAP, this institution has announced the update to its recommendations to educate our children in a positive way.
Although on previous occasions they had already published on their website Healthy Children about their position against corporal punishment, the AAP now strengthens it through this new publication, in which they do not only talk about the damage they can cause to children. children, but also share tips to educate without punishment or shouting.
In Babies and more Children who have received physical punishment in childhood would be more likely to be violent with their partnerAccording to the AAP, physical punishment increase the likelihood of children being more challenging and aggressive in the future. In an interview for NBC News, Dr. Robert Sege, who was one of the authors of the new recommendations, comments that there is no benefit with whipping:
"We know that children grow and develop better with a positive role model, and putting healthy limits. We can do better."
In your post, The AAP says that neither parents, nannies, or any adult who is interacting with children and adolescents should use physical punishment for any reason: neither for anger or as punishment as a result of bad behavior, nor resorting to verbal aggressions that humiliate or embarrass children.
In Babies and more, scourges do not work and are harmful to children, they conclude after 50 years of researchIn addition to this being very painful and humiliating for a child, they comment that any form of corporal punishment and shouting are minimally effective in the short term and in the long term they are of no use.
According to the information they share, new studies have found that There is a relationship between physical punishment with negative results in children's cognitive, psychosocial and emotional behavior and development..
On your website Healthy Children, list briefly and easily why are they against the scourges:
Corporal punishment in children under 18 months of age increases the possibility of physical injuries.
The continued use of corporal punishment it can lead to aggressive and altercated behaviors between the adult and the child, and cause a negative effect on the relationship between parents and children.
Corporal punishment is linked to increased aggressiveness in preschool and school-age children.
Be a victim of corporal punishment makes the probability that the child is aggressive and challenging greater, not less in the future.
Corporal punishment is linked to the increase in mental illnesses and cognitive problems (memory and reasoning).
In Babies and more How to respond to those who suggest that hitting children to educate them is positive and necessaryPossibly many of the parents who now read this grew up being educated with scourges, something that in previous generations was believed to be effective in correcting misconduct. For some this may be the only way they know, wondering how they can avoid it and educate children in a positive way and without mistreating them.
To do this, in addition to sharing the possible negative consequences of physical punishment, the AAP publishes a series of keys to educate them without shouting or punishment.
The 10 keys to education without punishment or shouting
The AAP advises that the most effective way to correct children and help them improve their behavior is through positive discipline strategies, thus also promoting healthy development. These are his 10 keys to a positive discipline:
Show them and tell them. Teach children the difference between good and bad with kind words and actions. Be the role model you would like to see in your children.
Set limits Have clear and consistent rules that your children can follow. Be sure to explain them in an appropriate manner so that they are easy to understand according to their age.
Show them consequences. With calm and firmness, explain the consequences if they have a bad behavior. For example, explain that if you do not pick up your toys, you will take them out for the rest of the day. But you must be ready to do it and keep it. Don't give in and give them back just a few minutes later. But remember, never take a child from something he really needs, like a meal.
In Babies and more How to teach our children that punishment doesn't matter, but the consequences of their actionsListen to them. Listening to them is important. Allow your children to finish their story before helping them solve their problems. Look closely at times when bad behavior shows a pattern, for example, if your child feels jealous. Talk to your child about this, instead of just showing him the consequences.
Give them your attention. The most powerful tool for positive discipline is attention to reinforce good behaviors and discourage those that are not. Remember, all children want the attention of their parents.
Surprise them when they are doing something good. Children need to know when they do something bad, but also when they do something good. Observe good behavior and make it notice, recognizing your effort and good attempts. Be specific (for example, "What a good job you did to save that toy."
Learn to identify situations in which you should not respond. As long as your child is not doing something dangerous and has a lot of attention when doing something good, ignoring bad behavior can also be an effective way to stop it. Ignoring bad behavior can also be a way to teach your child about the natural consequences of their actions. For example, if your child throws cookies on the floor on purpose, he will soon learn that he will no longer have cookies to eat. If you throw a toy and it breaks, you will learn that you can no longer play with it. It won't take long to learn not to throw your cookies and be more careful with your toys.
In Babies and more Children and adolescents are less violent in countries where corporal punishment is prohibitedPrepare for possible problems. Prepare in advance for situations in which your child has the possibility of showing bad behavior. Help them prepare for the activities they will do and explain how you expect them to act during them.
Redirect bad behavior. Sometimes children misbehave because they are bored or do not know what to do. Help them find something else they can do.
Use time out. A time out can be especially useful when a specific rule is broken. This discipline tool works best if we first alert children that they will have a time out if they do not stop, reminding them of what they have done wrong with a few words and then moving them away from a situation for a specific time (one minute per year of age is a good guide). For children who are at least three years old, you can try to take their own time instead of choosing it yourself. You can simply tell them "Go take some time out and come back when you feel ready and in control." This strategy, which can help children learn and practice self-control, also works well for older children and teenagers.
Regarding this last point mentioned by the AAP, although it is not a corporal punishment nor does it imply shouting, in Babies and more We do not support time outside, also known as the thinking chair, because we believe it is more effective and respectful to explain to children the consequences of their actions, so that they can understand what they have done wrong.
Remember that as parents we are responsible for educating our children to be good people, teaching them good differences from evil and showing them important values such as responsibility, commitment, generosity, kindness and empathy. Raising in positive discipline, and not with whipping or shouting, they can have healthy development and growth.
