G U I D E L I N E S

From the book Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelsen

Misbehaving children are discouraged children who have mistaken ideas on how to achieve their primary goal to belong. Their mistaken ideas lead them to misbehavior. We cannot be effective unless we address the mistaken beliefs rather than just the misbehavior. Use encouragement to help children feel belonging so the 2 motivation for misbehaving will be eliminated. Celebrate each step in the direction of improvement rather than focusing on mistakes. A great way to help children feel encouraged is to spend spe3 cial time being with them. Many teachers have noticed a dramatic change in a problem child after spending five minutes simply sharing what they both like to do for fun. When tucking children into bed, ask them to share with you 4 their saddest time during the day and their happiest time during the day. Then you share with them. You will be surprised what you learn. Have family meetings or class meetings to solve problems 5 with cooperation and mutual respect. This is the key to creating a loving, respectful atmosphere while helping children develop selfdiscipline, responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. Give children meaningful jobs. In the name of expediency, 6 many parents and teachers do things that children could do for themselves and one another. Children feel belonging when they know they can make a real contribution. Decide together what jobs need to be done. Put them all in 7 a jar and let each child draw out a few each week; that way no one is stuck with the same jobs all the time. Teachers can invite children to help them make class rules and list them on a chart titled, We decided. Children have ownership, motivation, and enthusiasm when they are included in the decisions. Take time for training. Make sure children understand 8 what clean the kitchen means to you. To them it may mean simply putting the dishes in the sink. Parents and teachers may ask, What is your understanding of what is expected? Teach and model mutual respect. One way is to be kind 9 and firm at the same timekind to show respect for the child, and firm to show respect for yourself and the needs of the situation. This is difficult during conflict, so use the next guideline whenever you can.

Proper timing will improve your effectiveness tenfold. It does not work to deal with a problem at the time of conflictemotions get in the way. Teach children about cooling-off periods. You (or the children) can go to a separate room and do something to make yourself feel betterand then work on the problem with mutual respect. Get rid of the crazy idea that in order to make chil11 dren do better, first you have to make them feel worse. Do you feel like doing better when you feel humiliated? This suggests a whole new look at time out. Use Positive Time Out. Let your children help you design a 12 pleasant area (cushions, books, music, stuffed animals) that will help them feel better. Remember that children do better when they feel better. Then you can ask your children, when they are upset, Do you think it would help you to take some positive time out? Punishment may work if all you are interested in is stopping 13 misbehavior for the moment. Sometimes we must beware of what works when the long-range results are negativeresentment, rebellion, revenge, or retreat. Teach children that mistakes are wonderful opportuni14 ties to learn! A great way to teach children that mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn is to model this yourself by using the Three Rs of Recovery after you have made a mistake: (1) Recognize your mistake. (2) Reconcile: Be willing to say Im sorry, I didnt like the way I handled that. (3) Resolve: Focus on solutions rather than blame. (#3 is effective only if you do #1 & #2 first.) Focus on solutions instead of consequences. Many parents 15 and teachers try to disguise punishment by calling it a logical consequence. Get children involved in finding solutions that are: (1) Related (2) Respectful (3) Reasonable (4) Helpful Make sure the message of love and respect gets 16 through. Start with I care about you. I am concerned about this situation. Will you work with me on a solution? Have fun! 17 Bring joy into homes and classrooms.

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G U I D E L I N E S

DEVELOPING CAPABLE YOUNG PEOPLE

Seven Strategies for Developing Capable Young People

Build closeness and trust, and convey respect by avoiding the Five Barriers and using the Five Builders instead:

Barrier #1: Assuming: Acting on limiting assumptions about what a per-

Encourage the development of seven resources of highly resilient and capable people: a. Strong perceptions of personal capabilities. I am capable of facing problems and challenges and gaining strength and wisdom through experience. b. Strong perceptions of significance. My life has meaning and purpose, and I contribute in unique and meaningful ways. c. Strong perceptions of personal influence over life. I can influence what I do in life and am accountable for my actions and choices. d. Strong intrapersonal skills. The ability to manage personal emotions through self-assessment, self-control, and self-discipline. e. Strong interpersonal skills. The ability to communicate, cooperate, negotiate, share, empathize, listen, and work effectively with people. f. Strong systemic skills. The ability to respond to the limits and consequences of everyday life with responsibility, adaptability, flexibility, and integrity. g. Strong judgmental skills. The ability to make decisions based on moral and ethical principles, wisdom, and understanding.

son can or cant do, say, think, etc. I didnt tell you because you always get upset. You always think ____. Youre too young to try that! etc. Builder #1: Checking: Giving people a clean slate: How do you want to deal with this? What are your thoughts about____? What will you need to have ready for____? etc.
Barrier #2: Rescuing/Explaining: Problem solving for a person:

____ is what is happening. ____ is why it is happening. ____ is how to deal with it. Do it this way. etc. Builder #2: Exploring: Problem solving with a person by letting them try something and then asking: What did you experience in that situation? Why is that significant? How might you apply what you have learned in the future? etc.
Barrier #3: Directing: Telling people what to do: Pick up your shoes.

Put that away. Dont forget your lunch. Be sure and ____. Etc. Builder #3: Inviting: Asking for participation/assistance: I would appreciate any help you could give me in straightening up the room. How do you plan to ____? What will you need to do in order to ____? etc.
Barrier #4: Expecting: (too much too soon) Using potential as a

Provide opportunities in homes and classrooms for children to develop the significant seven. Strategies such as family/class meetings, mentoring, and firmness with dignity and respect can provide opportunities for children to develop all of these resources.

standard and discounting people for not being there already: I was expecting this room to be spotless. You should know that already. I appreciate ____ but you forgot ____. etc. Builder #4: Celebrating: Focusing on effort progress and/or what was gained by trying: I appreciate the effort you have made to clean up this room. What did you learn from trying to do that? What progress do you see yourself making? etc.
Barrier #5: Adultisms: Using stereotypes when dealing with people:

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Create and use rituals, traditions, and service projects as opportunities for growth and empowerment for children.

Increase the use of dialogue (a meaningful exchange of ideas and perceptions) as the essential process for encouraging closeness, trust, and learning: What are your thoughts about that? Avoid Did you? Can you? Will you? Wont you? Is everything okay? etc. Instead use What? How? When? In what way____? etc.

Teenagers are like that. You know better than that! Surely you realize! You are too young to appreciate that. Growup! Why are you so childish. etc. Builder #5: Respect: Allowing for peoples uniqueness and individuality: What is your perception of ____? or Let me check out what you think. How do you see this issue? etc. Improve your relationships 100% by avoiding the Five Barriers. Where can you get that kind of return for doing less? Replace the Barriers with the Builders and double the positive impact of your contributions!

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www.capabilitiesinc.com

THESE GUIDELINES CAN BE VIEWED OR DOWNLOADED AT

www.empoweringpeople.com/guidelines.html