Family & Social Child Developement

Disciplining Your Child Without Spanking

Physical punishment, i.e. caning or spanking your child, may not be most effective when it comes to discipline.

Although physical punishment, i.e. caning or spanking your child, increases short-term compliance, many research studies do show negative outcomes in children in the long-term such as aggressive behaviours, lower quality relationships, and poorer mental health in childhood and adulthood.

According to a recent international study spanning several continents including Asia, explanations of physical punishment being ‘just’ and ‘fair’ and the use of less severe forms of physical punishment (e.g. slapping on hand) do not lessen the negative impact it has on children’s outcomes.

On the other hand, consistent use of positive parenting methods (e.g. planned ignoring of negative behaviours, providing praise and reward for positive behaviours) have shown effectiveness in shaping children’s behaviour. Additionally, using other-oriented reasoning where children learn to understand effects of their behaviour on others increases their empathy and promotes pro-social behaviours.

More importantly, parents are encouraged to spend time in taking the perspective of their children in order to better identify reasons for their misbehaviour. This in turn helps parents to choose wisely on interventions that encourage children’s willing compliance.

Ms Joanne Especkerman, Psychologist at the Psychology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group, said parents are often unsure of various alternative methods of discipline. Here are some alternatives:

The full article may be found here. Want smart children? Read on for tips.

Disclaimer: All HealthXchange articles are intended for general information only and provided on the understanding that no surgical and medical advice or recommendation is being rendered. Please do not disregard the professional advice of your physician.

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