Positive Parenting

Overview of Program

The nurturing and guidance (or discipline) of children are the primary tasks of parents. One of the most perplexing aspects of childrearing is the use of physical punishment (or spanking). The purpose of this curriculum is to review what is known about the consequences of physical punishment and how to offer parents alternative ways to discipline their children. 

The Curriculum

“Positive Parenting” is video/lecture and hands on parent education curriculum focusing on the alternatives to physical punishment in the discipline of children. It was developed jointly by family educators of the Minnesota Extension Service and the University of Wisconsin Extension. The curriculum includes six lesson units, each consisting of a video (about 10 minutes), a packet of Parents Handouts, a teacher/ leader guide, discussion aides, and a reference list. The curriculum is intended especially for use with parents of pre-school and early elementary school age children.

 

 2024

Number attending

Physical Punishment

Reviews the major arguments against the use of physical punishment in the discipline of children. Overviews an array of alternative discipline tools.

Limits

Emphasizes that children must have both love and limits to feel secure and to develop self-control. Offers several guidelines regarding the setting of limits in the family.

Consequences

Intended to help parents use natural and logical consequences rather than punishment to change their children’s behavior.

Listening

Emphasizes the importance of listening in parent/child relations and offers a number of guidelines for effective listening.

Anger

Provides perspective on the nature and sources of anger. Offers guidelines to parents for dealing with their own anger as well as their children’s.

Challenging Behavior

Offers strategies and tactics for dealing with non-compliant (or oppositional) behavior of children.