HOLLY CITY PEDIATRICS, PA

                Walking you through the years.

Pediatric & Adolescent Care     

Behavior Problems 

Behavior problems in young children require firm and fair consistent discipline to stop and/or modify unacceptable behaviors.

Firm means immediate response to unacceptable behavior by letting the child know what he/she did that was unacceptable and placing him/her facing a corner of a room for one minute for each year of age.  If

the child won’t stay in the corner, the parent is to hold him/her in the corner for the prescribed time.  When

the child is released he/she is to be reminded of the unacceptable behavior that caused the disciplinary action.

Fair discipline means reasonable punishment.  Spanking or hitting a child may physically harm the child; but,

it also teaches the child that it is okay to use physical force when things do not go your way.

Sending a child to his/her room may not be punishment.  After the initial period is over, taking privileges away

or grounding a child becomes meaningless.  The fairest and most effective punishment (1minute per year of age) is a short time in the corner in isolation. Discipline must be administered consistently by all care takers in order to be effective. 

Reminder: Discipline should be followed with a statement reminding the child of the unacceptable behavior that caused the discipline.  Appropriate guidance should be given to circumvent the unacceptable behavior.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Behavior Problem in Older Children

They require the same firm, fair and consistent discipline.  Punishment may have to be different to be more meaningful but still fair.  Taking away privileges seem to be the best punishment for the older child.  The

Removal of privileges means sitting quietly without access to phone, TV, radio, and computer games

For one hour for the first offense.  This solitary confinement is increased for recurring offenses.  Homework is

not to be done during punishment time (school work should not be seen as a punishment).  The child should be reminded of his/her indiscretion and of the possibility of bad outcomes.  i.e. stealing equals jail, smoking

causes lung disease and being mean to others means that people will treat you mean in return, etc.

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Last modified: 05/08/07