8 Ways On How To Discipline A Child Effectively

Updated:June 25, 2025 | Published:January 8, 2025 | ByPamela Li

To discipline a child effectively, techniques such as redirecting misbehavior, giving attention, and using time-outs aim to guide children toward appropriate behavior rather than punish them. Redirection involves shifting focus from undesirable to acceptable behaviors while paying positive attention to reinforce desired actions and encouraging learning through praise. Time-outs remove children from reinforcing situations, encouraging them to calm down when used correctly, but misuse often leads to negative effects.

Setting rules and implementing consequences are essential for teaching children accountability. Clear rules provide structure and expectations, while natural consequences help children understand the relationship between actions and outcomes. Positive reinforcement, like praising good behavior or using reward systems, strengthens habits and boosts self-esteem, while planned ignoring discourages undesirable behavior by removing attention.

Explaining reasons behind rules enhances understanding and empathy, teaching children the social and emotional impact of their actions. Effective discipline focuses on long-term growth, helping children internalize moral standards, develop self-control, and build resilience. A respectful parent-child relationship promotes emotional security, encourages cooperation, and reduces defiance.

Different strategies suit developmental stages, such as redirection and empathy for toddlers, clear rules and modeling for preschoolers, natural consequences for grade-schoolers, and collaborative rule-setting with teenagers. Long-term positive discipline emphasizes consistency, modeling appropriate behavior, and involving children in decision-making, promoting responsibility and self-regulation.

Punishment often suppresses behavior temporarily through fear, but discipline teaches lasting values and skills. Physical punishment like spanking is ineffective and harmful, leading to mental health issues and aggression. Instead, non-physical approaches such as reasoning, removing privileges, and restitution teach accountability and promote growth, avoiding trauma and fostering a supportive environment for learning.

To discipline a child, redirect misbehavior, give attention, and use time-out. 8 ways to discipline kids are listed below.

1. Redirect Misbehavior

Redirecting misbehavior involves shifting a child’s focus from an undesirable behavior to a positive one. Children learn discipline as redirection shows which behaviors are appropriate. An example of redirecting misbehavior is diverting a toddler’s attention from playing with a breakable object to playing with a ball. Redirecting misbehavior is a straightforward discipline, but it sometimes fails if a child is strong-willed, stubborn, and determined to persist.

2. Give Attention

Paying attention means responding to a child’s positive behavior through gestures or communication. Positive attention from parents or caregivers is a reinforcement, strengthening a child’s behavior and making the actions more likely to occur again based on the principles of operant conditioning. A child receiving praise after reading books is more likely to read again, for example, according to a 2003 study titled ” The art and science of disciplining children,” by Margo Adams Larsen and Erin Tentis, published in Pediatric Clinics. Parents must be mindful and notice good behavior to give positive attention. The praise must be genuine and specific so that the child knows what they are receiving the praise for.

3. Use Time-Outs (Time-Ins)

Time-out (shorthand for “time-out from positive reinforcement”) involves a brief preplanned withdrawal of reinforcers, such as attention,  for a period of time in response to non-compliance to a parent’s explicit instruction. Time-out is a behavior modification technique widely used by positive parenting adopters due to its apparent non-punitive nature. The primary goal of time-out is to remove the child from a reinforcing situation, such as parental attention, making misbehavior less likely to recur.

Parents must follow specific steps for time-out to work. Unfortunately, this popular disciplinary tool is often used without professional guidance, resulting in negative effects. For example, if a child misbehaves because he wants to escape a situation, time-out becomes a reinforcer rather than a punisher, according to a 2003 study titled “The art and science of disciplining children,” by Margo Adams Larsen et al., published in Pediatric Clinics. Some parents scold or excessively isolate the child, transforming this neutral disciplinary approach into a punitive measure.

4. Catch Them Being Good

“Caught being good” involves noticing and praising children’s positive behavior as it happens, such as kindness, cooperation, or responsibility. Caught being good is a positive discipline strategy, rewarding and reinforcing appropriate behavior with attention and appreciation. Children feel valued and capable, gradually internalizing desirable behavior as habits. For example, a child puts her toys away without being asked and is praised by the parent, “I love how you put your toys away without being reminded. You are so responsible.”

5. Set Rules

Rules are guidelines that help a child understand norms and values. Enforcing rules clarifies what is expected from children, which makes repeating appropriate behaviors easier. For example, instructing a child to make the bed after waking up sets a clear expectation of the child’s routine every morning. Rules are either independently enforced by the parent or negotiated with the child.

6. Implement Consequences

Consequences are the positive or negative results of a particular action or decision. A child typically repeats a behavior after receiving reinforcing consequences, while inappropriate behaviors are discouraged after adverse consequences (punishment).

Consequences fall into two categories: natural or imposed. Natural consequences occur without parental intervention. For example, failing to get up on time results in being late for school—a natural consequence. The penalty imposed by the school for tardiness represents another natural consequence.

Some parents create imposed consequences (logical consequences), when the natural outcome is excessively harsh or undesired. For example, a parent takes away video games if a child refuses to complete homework to prevent the child from failing in school, which is a natural outcome the parent finds unacceptable.

7. Ignore

Planned ignoring reduces undesired behavior by removing parental attention that previously reinforced the behavior. Ignoring involves a behavioral principle called extinction. Extinction removes a reinforcer to decrease the chances of the behavior recurring, according to a 2000 study titled “Giving guidance on child discipline,” by Tony Waterston, published in British Medical Journal. For example, if a child swears to get attention, ignoring the misbehavior removes the attention reward, making the behavior less likely to happen again.

8. Explain Reasons

Reasoning explains why specific behaviors are undesirable and is a key component of inductive discipline. Inductive discipline uses reasoning to encourage children to understand socially appropriate behavior and recognize the potential harm their actions cause. Reasoning relies on verbal communication, allowing parents to be external regulators of young children’s behavior. Children learn to control disruptive actions and adopt prosocial alternatives through this process, according to a 2013 study titled “The Interplay of Externalizing Problems and Physical and Inductive Discipline during Childhood,” by Arnold J Sameroff et al., published in Developmental Psychology.

What Is Child Discipline?

Discipline is a proactive process focused on teaching and guiding children toward appropriate behavior. Disciplinary measures aim to have long-term effects by teaching children how to develop internalized moral standards to make sound choices without guidance. The goal of discipline is to foster responsibility and respect rather than acting as a retaliatory measure, according to a 2011 study titled “Discipline Versus Punishment: Which Way For Educators In South African Schools?” conducted by Cosmas Maphosa and published in the International Journal of New Trends in Education and Their Implications.

What Is The Importance Of Disciplining A Child?

The importance of disciplining a child lies in its ability to help children develop into well-adjusted, responsible, and successful individuals. Discipline provides a framework for understanding acceptable behavior, boundaries, and the consequences of actions for the healthy development of children. Disciplining is not about punishment but rather about guiding children to develop self-discipline. A well-disciplined child navigates the complexity of social interactions effectively, meeting their needs while respecting others. Discipline cultivates empathy as children learn to understand how their choices impact others.

Consistent and appropriate discipline instills life skills that extend far beyond childhood. Children learn to regulate emotions, develop patience, and persevere through challenges. Kids become better equipped to handle frustration and disappointment healthily, building resilience. Discipline helps create a sense of responsibility as children learn to own their actions and understand that choices have consequences. Self-regulation and responsibility are the foundation of academic success, future career prospects, and healthy relationships.

What Is The Difference Between Discipline And Punishment?

Discipline and punishment are two distinct approaches to behavior modification, often confused with one another. The difference of disciplining vs. punishing a child lies in the goals and methods.  Discipline is proactive and focuses on teaching individuals desired behaviors, while punishment is reactive and centers on delivering negative consequences to stop undesirable actions. Discipline builds internal control and understanding, whereas punishment deters through fear of reprisal.

Discipline and punishment have different outcomes. Discipline builds character, self-awareness, and intrinsic motivation to behave in the long run. Punishment is a quick fix that often suppresses unwanted behavior temporarily without lasting impact. Punishing does not promote moral development and is often detrimental to the child’s emotional and psychological well-being. Physical punishments like spanking and hitting evoke anger, fear, shame, and disgust rather than fostering understanding or respect.

What Are The Core Principles Of Effective Discipline?

The core principles of effective discipline include clear expectations, consistent rules, and positive reinforcement. The core principles of effective child discipline are listed below.

• Clear Expectations: Effective forms of discipline are characterized by clearly communicating what is acceptable and unacceptable. Clear expectations prevent confusion about rules and ensure children know the possible consequences during violations.
• Consistent Rules: Consistency in rules involves applying the same rules and consequences within and across individuals. Consistent rules provide structure and predictability, crucial for internalizing moral values.
• Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desirable behaviors, making them more likely to repeat. Tangible rewards include toys and gift cards, and intangible rewards include praise and privileges.
• Consequences: Implementing consequences directly related to the behavior helps children understand the connection between their actions and outcomes. Logical consequences promote effective discipline as children learn accountability and responsibility.
• Fairness: Discipline becomes effective when children see the consequences as proportionate and related to the behavior. For instance, if a child throws food on the floor, a fair consequence is having the child clean up the mess. The consequence ends when the mess is cleaned up to ensure fairness.
• Good Modeling: Parents modeling positive behavior facilitates discipline effectiveness. Calm and brief discipline teaches the child that conflict is handled calmly, without using physical or verbal aggression, according to a 2019 study titled “What Is It to Discipline a Child: What Should It Be? A Reanalysis of Time-Out From the Perspective of Child Mental Health, Attachment, and Trauma,” conducted by Mark R. Dadds and Lucy A. Tully and published in American Psychologist.
• Respect: Effective methods of discipline discipline encourage respect, according to a 2011 study titled “Discipline Versus Punishment: Which Way For Educators In South African Schools?” conducted by Consmas Maphosa and published in the International Journal of New Trends in Education and Their Implications. A respectful discipline focuses on guiding children with dignity, understanding, and empathy and avoids demeaning punishments.
• Open Communication: Open communication involves honest and respectful conversations between parents and children. Both sides express thoughts, feelings, and concerns to encourage mutual respect and a supportive environment for discipline.

What Parenting Style Is Most Effective For Child Discipline?

Authoritative parenting style is the most effective method for child discipline. Authoritative parenting balances high control, warmth, and communication. Clear rules, consistent boundaries, and explanations given make authoritative parenting effective. Children are involved in decision-making, which promotes trust and open communication.

Children of authoritative parents display pro-social behaviors and the ability to reason autonomously about moral problems, according to a 2020 study titled “Parents’ Roles and Parenting Styles on Shaping Children’s Morality,” conducted by W. N. Tan et al. and published in the Universal Journal of Educational Research.

Authoritarian parenting is ineffective in child discipline due to the focus on punitive punishment and the lack of reasoning. Permissive and uninvolved parenting have low demands on children. The lack of discipline makes permissive and uninvolved parenting styles ineffective in teaching children appropriate behavior.

What Are The Age-Specific Discipline Strategies?

Discipline strategies differ across ages due to variations in developmental stages, understanding, and behavioral capacities. Appropriate age-specific discipline strategies for toddlers, preschoolers, grade-schoolers, and adolescents are listed below.

1. Toddlers

Toddlerhood is a period of rapid growth and development from 1 to 3 years of age. Toddlers experiment with control and independence, making parental guidance and tolerance essential. Discipline strategies focus on safety, boundaries, and redirection. For example, a toddler attempting to touch a stove must be physically moved away from the object and guided toward an alternative activity. Parents must combine redirection with short verbal warnings, as toddlers are unable to regulate behavior based on verbal directions alone.

Tantrums in toddlers stem from frustrations over unmet desires rather than deliberate defiance. Discipline focuses on understanding the child’s reaction patterns, showing empathy, and setting boundaries. Time-outs (withdrawals of attention) are not recommended, as toddlers fear abandonment and separation from caregivers, according to a 2004 study titled “Effective discipline for children,” conducted by Peter Nieman et al. and published in the Paediatrics & Child Health Journal.

2. Preschool Age Children

Preschool age refers to children between 3 to 5 years old. Preschoolers develop greater cognitive and social skills, making verbal communication an effective tool for discipline.  Clear, consistent rules and positive feedback help children understand expectations and reinforce accountability. Modeling good behavior is necessary as children tend to internalize rules through observation.

Preschoolers benefit from pre-teaching, a technique where parents set clear expectations for behavior and explain the consequences in advance. Pre-teaching is particularly helpful during transitions, such as arriving or leaving places, according to a 2003 study titled Margo Adams Larsen and Erin Tentis published in The Pediatric Clinics of North America. Saying, “Play for five more minutes, then walk with me to the car. If you don’t, we’ll skip ice cream,” provides a gentle warning about the transition and explains the consequences in advance.

How to discipline a 4-year-old? To discipline a 4-year-old, focus on positive reinforcement and pre-teaching. Avoid harsh punishments, like yelling or spanking, that are damaging and ineffective.

How to discipline a 5-year-old? To discipline a 5-year-old, focus on pre-teaching and giving positive feedback to reinforce appropriate behavior. Avoid punitive methods like yelling or spanking, as they are damaging and ineffective.

3. Grade school Age Children

Grade school-age children are between 6 to 12 years old. Children in this stage value independence. Clear rules while allowing freedom are effective. Parental guidance in decision-making remains necessary since children are developing reasoning and judgment.

Natural consequences with safe boundaries and positive reinforcement help reinforce accountability, according to a 2004 study titled “Effective discipline for children,” conducted by Peter Nieman et al. and published in the Paediatrics & Child Health Journal. A natural consequence is a result that naturally follows from a specific action or behavior. For example, if a child refuses to wear a jacket on a cold day, a natural consequence is to let the child feel the cold. Positive reinforcement encourages maturity and responsibility. Sticker charts and token economies enable parents to reinforce desired behaviors by earning and exchanging tokens for rewards.

4. Adolescents And Teens

Adolescence is a developmental period covering ages 13 to 18. Teenagers strive for independence, often challenging authority and adhering more to peer groups. Effective discipline strategies include natural consequences and collaboration in rule-setting, according to a 2004 study titled “Adolescent Involvement in Discipline Decision Making,” conducted by Virginia M. Deroma et al. and published in Behavior Modification Journal. Increasing adolescents’ involvement in disciplinary consequences ensures fairness, acceptance, and respect for rules.

Non-confrontational approaches, such as contracts and discussions, help maintain parental guidance without diminishing the adolescent’s autonomy. Punitive measures like spanking are considered the most harmful discipline strategy and must be avoided at all costs.

Why are discipline strategies different for different ages of children? Discipline strategies differ for children of various ages primarily because of their varying levels of cognitive, emotional, and social development.

What Are The Best Tips For Long-Term Positive Discipline?

Long-term positive discipline focuses on teaching children appropriate behavior and life skills in a supportive and respectful manner. The best tips for long-term positive discipline are listed below.

• Be Clear and Consistent: Consistency helps children internalize what is acceptable and what is not. Clearly define and communicate your behavioral expectations based on the child’s age and development. For example, “Wash your hands” is sufficient for a toddler, while a school-age child needs more detailed instructions such as, “Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and dry them with a towel”. Consistent and clear rules avoid vague instructions and provide specific, understandable guidance for children.
• Model Good Behavior: Children learn moral values by imitating adults, according to a 2020 study titled “Parents’ Roles and Parenting Styles on Shaping Children’s Morality,” conducted by W. N. Tan and Maizura Yasin and published in Universal Journal of Educational Research. Model the behavior you want the children to adopt and demonstrate consistency in actions to reinforce the desired values.
• Give Choices: Offering choices encourages children to resolve moral dilemmas independently. Asking, “What happens if you tell the truth? What happens if you don’t? Let’s think about the consequences of each choice,” encourages critical thinking and decision-making skills essential for lasting discipline.
• Actively Listen: Active listening helps parents understand children’s perspectives and emotions. Respecting children’s thoughts and feelings encourages honesty and openness, which help manage future misbehaviors.
• Collaborate with the Child: Allowing the child to participate in setting rules and consequences promotes positive behavior, as noted in the 2017 study titled “Decision-Making by Children and Young People in the Home: The Nurture of Trust, Participation, and Independence,” conducted by Shirley Martin et al. and published in Journal of Child and Family Studies. Collaborative discipline ensures parents and children mutually agree and understand rules and consequences.
• Adapt Strategies as Children Grow: Adjust your expectations and techniques with the child’s developmental stage. Discipline produces long-term outcomes when parents consider the child’s cognitive, language, and emotional capacities.
• Practice Patience and Persistence: Behavioral change takes time. Approach discipline as an ongoing process rather than expecting immediate results. Rushing to correct or solve children’s inappropriate behaviors usually results in short-term compliance.

Why Is A Good Parent-Child Relationship Essential For Discipline?

A good parent-child relationship is essential for discipline because it creates an environment where children feel loved and valued. Emotional security reduces feelings of rebellion or defiance, making children more receptive to guidance and corrections. Open conversations between parents and children about inappropriate and appropriate behaviors help children understand the consequences of their actions, making discipline more effective.

Children raised in nurturing environments develop higher levels of empathy, cooperation, and respect for rules, according to a 2020 study titled “Parents’ Roles and Parenting Styles on Shaping Children’s Morality,” conducted by W. N. Tan et al. in Malaysia and published in Universal Journal of Educational Research. A strong parent-child bond helps children perceive discipline as an opportunity for learning and growth, promoting better behaviors.

Is Discipline Important To Make Kids Listen?

Yes, discipline is important to make kids listen by providing a structured environment that teaches responsibility, self-control, and respect. The goal of discipline is to guide children toward understanding the “why” behind rules, not just blindly obeying them. A child raised with consistent discipline understands expectations and the consequences of their actions, leading to better decision-making and a greater likelihood of listening when it matters most.

How To Discipline A Child Without Yelling Or Hitting?

To discipline a child without hitting or yelling, start by practicing self-regulation. Self-regulation involves managing emotions and thinking clearly before responding. Take deep breaths, pause to reflect, or step away to prevent impulsive reactions. Explain rules calmly and offer choices to teach children proper behavior without fear or aggression.

Use time-outs properly to reduce misbehavior. Briefly ignore children during temper outbursts or remove them from a reinforcing environment as undesired behaviors often persist due to reinforcement through attention, according to a 2007 study titled “First Generation Korean American Parents’ Perceptions of Discipline,” conducted by Eunjung Kim and Seunghye Hong published in Journal of Professional Nursing.

Reasoning is a form of non-physical punishment. Discuss the reason behind the rules and consequences to help children understand the outcomes of their actions. Removing privileges such as screen time or access to favorite toys to teaches accountability. Praise positive behaviors or use reward systems, like sticker charts, to motivate children to follow the rules.

What Are The Appropriate Punishments For Disciplining Children?

Appropriate punishments for disciplining children involve explaining the reasons behind the consequences. Clarifying the reasoning behind disciplinary measures prevents resentment and confusion, helping children reflect on their behavior better. However, punitive punishments are not recommended as they are ineffective and harmful to children. Appropriate strategies for disciplining children are listed below.

• Time-Out: Proper use of time-outs (time-outs from reinforcement) involves temporarily removing a child from the environment where the behavior occurred. The goal is to interrupt the behavior and allow the child to calm down without stimulation. The child is usually placed in a quiet location briefly, typically lasting one to five minutes. Time-out promotes self-regulation and helps the child understand the consequences of actions, according to a 2021 study titled “Time-Out with Young Children: A Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Practitioner Review,” conducted by Melanie J. Woodfield et al. and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
• Loss of Privileges: Loss of privileges involves temporarily denying access to a specific activity or item after an undesirable behavior. The strategy helps children understand that actions have consequences, encouraging better decision-making. For example, a child refusing to do homework loses the privilege of helping her mother make cookies.
• Natural Consequences: Natural consequences involve allowing children to experience the outcomes of their actions. Allowing children to experience the results of their actions without parental interventions encourages learning through real-life experience. Natural consequences are an appropriate discipline when the outcome does not hurt safety, health, or others’ well-being. Children learn responsibility and self-awareness. Children learn that their actions have direct effects, guiding better decision-making in the future.
• Restitution: Restitution involves encouraging children to make amends, such as apologizing or compensating the affected person. An example of restitution is letting a child return a toy taken from a playmate. Restitution holds children accountable for their behavior and teaches responsibility by directly linking the punishment to the misbehavior.
• Unwind-Rewind-Windup: Unwind-rewind-windup is a three-step practice of disciplining children in school when children are in conflicts, as detailed in the 2014 study titled “Restorative Discipline: From Getting Even to Getting Well,” conducted by Judy Hostetler Mullet and published in Children & Schools journal. Unwind focuses on helping the harmed child express their feelings and needs. Rewind involves a conversation with the child who caused harm, while windup involves communicating with observers of the harm. The strategy promotes emotional processing, reflection, and accountability, helping children become more disciplined.

Good punishments focus on teaching lessons and promoting better behavior, Punishments that involve humiliation, physical harm, or excessive severity harm a child’s emotional well-being and lead to resentment rather than understanding. Appropriate punishments encourage growth and learning rather than instill fear or mistrust.

What Are The Common Challenges In Child Discipline?

Below are the common challenges in disciplining a child.

• Dealing with Tantrums: Identifying the root cause of tantrums is sometimes difficult, as temper outbursts often result from frustration, hunger, tiredness, or attention-seeking. Parents must identify the causes of the tantrums to prevent triggers and offer alternatives, Maintaining composure while imposing discipline strategies is another challenge. Parents must remain calm and neutral when handling tantrums to stop the child’s frustration from escalating, as noted in the 2012 study titled “Assessment, management, and prevention of childhood temper tantrums,” conducted by Elizabeth Daniels et al. and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners., as parents.
• Managing Sibling Conflict: Sibling rivalry often leads to jealousy, competition for attention, and favoritism. Discipline becomes difficult when parents struggle to find solutions that do not excessively punish one child or favor the other.
• Addressing Defiance or Backtalk: Some disciplining strategies unintentionally reinforce defiant behaviors, according to a 2020 study titled “Reducing Aggression Using a Multimodal Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Approach: A Case Study of a Preschooler With Oppositional Defiant Disorder,” conducted by Catrina A. Calub et al. and published in Clinical Case Studies. For example, a child’s defiance in the classroom increases when teachers provide one-on-one attention (e.g., bear hugs) or allow escape from aversive situations (e.g., placing the child in a quiet zone).
• Managing Screen Time Issues: Setting clear limits while considering the educational value of technology creates tension, especially if a child resists limits. Parents must set clear guidelines and set an example by limiting personal screen time to ensure the disciplining strategies are effective.

What Are The Things To Avoid In Disciplining Children?

Here are 8 things to avoid when disciplining children.

• Spanking: Physical punishment, including spanking, hitting, or smacking children, evokes fear, anger, and resentment. Physical punishment leads to short-term compliance but predisposes children to aggression, delinquency, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression, mania, suicide, and personality disorders, according to a 2018 study titled “Corporal punishment of children: discipline or abuse?” conducted by Eid Bassam et al. and published in Libyan Journal of Medicine.
• Yelling: Yelling at children in public damages their self-respect and dignity. Children who are frequently scolded or yelled at develop aggressive behavior, according to a 2022 study titled “Harsh Physical Discipline and Externalizing Behaviors in Children: A Systematic Review,” conducted by Marthe Wiggers and Fred Paas published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Children must not be yelled at, as doing so hurts their self-respect and dignity.
• Taking Away Necessities: Removing privileges teaches children about appropriate behaviors, but removing essential items like food or clothing does not. Depriving a child of basic needs increases stress and creates feelings of powerlessness, which makes discipline more challenging.
• Shaming or Belittling: Shaming or belittling involves using derogatory language or actions to undermine a child’s self-esteem. Shaming adversely affects children’s mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness, and powerlessness. Children shamed in public places like school often struggle to maintain self-esteem, which affects rational decision-making needed for discipline, according to a 2019 study titled “Shaming school children: A violation of fundamental rights?,” conducted by Joan F. Goodman and Britiny Iris Cook and published in Theory and Research in Education journal.
• Being inconsistent: Inconsistent discipline occurs when parents impose varying rules or consequences. Children rely on predictable boundaries to understand right from wrong. Inconsistent discipline creates confusion, leading to mistrust in the caregiver’s authority.
• Comparing the Child to Others: Pointing out another child’s behavior or achievements to motivate a child lowers self-esteem. Comparisons make the child feel inadequate and create a sense of competition instead of cooperation.
• Punishing Punitively: Consequences must be proportionate to the behavior to avoid feelings of unfairness and confusion. Punitive punishment signals to children that retribution, instead of teaching, is appropriate in correcting mistakes.
• Lack of Empathy: Disciplining callously makes the child feel misunderstood, rejected, and unloved. Empathy helps children feel heard and respected, promoting growth through mistakes and developing empathy.

Can Negative Discipline Cause Childhood Trauma?

Yes, negative discipline can cause childhood trauma. Physical punishment is particularly linked to psychological trauma in childhood, according to a 2010 study titled “More Harm Than Good: A Summary of Scientific Research on the Intended and Unintended Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children,” conducted by Elizabeth T. Gershoff and published in Law & Contemporary Problems.

Negative discipline causes childhood trauma as children perceive spanking, yelling, and harsh verbal reprimands as stressors, resulting in extreme fear or horror. The traumatic effects of negative discipline manifest as mental health issues, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.

Is Spanking Effective In Disciplining A Child?

No, spanking is not effective in disciplining a child. Most children who were spanked for inappropriate behavior resumed the behavior within 10 minutes, according to a 2018 study titled “Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children,” conducted by Robert D. Sege et al. and published in the Pediatrics Journal.

Corporal punishment is associated with physical injuries, cognitive decline, and psychological issues. Hitting a child younger than 18 months increases the risk of physical injury, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Spanking is linked to aggression, externalizing behavior, and mental health disorders, with effects resembling physical abuse. Long-term outcomes include higher odds of suicide attempts, substance use disorders, and problematic alcohol consumption in adulthood.