Disciplining / Motivating Children

Most children need discipline.  Dealing with disobedient and disruptive children can be challenging. Correction can either help or hurt children.  Knowing what works best often depends on knowing the child's personality type.  Discipline must be motivating.  All children have "hot buttons."  Children also have "cold buttons" that turn them off.  A parent's personal "hot button" can be a certain child's "cold button."  In other words, things that motivate the parent may demotivate the child and vice-versa.

There is a misconception about motivation — that we can motivate others.  Everyone is motivated.  Some children are motivated to do one thing, while others are motivated to do the exact opposite.  But everyone is motivated.

"Motivation" is actually creating the climate and environment that makes children decide for themselves to do right.  Unfortunately, many parents discipline and motivate through intimidation or manipulation.  Effective parenting involves wise discipline that creates the climate to motivate each child individually.  The following are suggestions on how to motivate / discipline children according to their personalities.

Remember, what motivates you may not motivate the child.  Think of certain children who may respond better to different approaches.

Sample of some of the information you will learn:

"I" Type Child

Under Pressure:
Becomes active, impatient, loud; seeks attention, excitement, to please the crowd.

Sources of Irritation: 
Boredom, routine, being overlooked, criticism, time constraints, organizational demands.

To Motivate / Discipline:
	Recognize (video tape) good behavior.
	Give opportunity to express thoughts.
	Show grave displeasure of poor behavior.
	When disobedient, exclude from activities.
	Explain how poor behavior makes them look bad.  Relate popularity to responsibility.