TEACHING SELF-DISCIPLINE: Tips for Parents
by Vicki Nickols
February 08, 2010
> What Children Need to Know About Self-Discipline:
Children must learn from an early age that they control their actions. They learn that when they make a poor choice, undesirable consequences happen. When good choices are made, there is a positive result. All people must be in control of their actions in order to make positive choices. The ability to set positive goals and work toward them is necessary to achieve success.
> To Help Children Develop Self-Discipline:
1. Discuss ways of showing self-control
> Take deep breaths or count to ten
> Remind yourself of why you should not do it
> Remember the consequences
> Remember that you feel better about yourself when you make good choices
2. Set rules and enforce them
3. Praise children’s behavior when rules are followed
4. Help children set goals and follow them
5. Teach cooperation skills
6. Make sure you model self-discipline
> The Career Connection:
Self-discipline sometimes involves postponing immediate pleasure to reach future goals. Demands for concentration, sustained effort, and sacrifice of leisure time are central in the work environment. Self-motivation and self-discipline are necessary to be successful in a career.
(From The Character and Career Connection, National Center for Youth Issues)
