The Discipline Gradient : Choosing the Right Discipline for Your Child's Age and Personality - Softcover

Susan Thierman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0966960904 ISBN 13: 9780966960907

Publisher: Spruce Mountain Press, 1999

Synopsis

Parents can teach self-discipline through discipline, using techniques that encourage self-esteem and positive decision-making, and those that shape and guide behavior.

No discipline strategy works with every child, at every age, and for every occasion. The Discipline Gradient matches discipline techniques to your real-life needs, taking into account your child's age, personality, self-esteem and the severity of the problem. This 270-page book shows how, when and where to use each technique, and offers plenty of practical examples, exercises and diagrams, so you can put the information to work right away.

The discipline gradient is a scale which rates the major discipline techniques according to their ability to teach internal controls, or self-discipline. Techniques listed near the beginning of the gradient prevent discipline problems from occurring in the first place, or use communication to solve problems. Prevention and communication techniques not only teach self-discipline; they also increase self-esteem and encourage warm family relationships.

However, sometimes prevention and communication techniques do not adequately resolve a problem. In these cases, techniques farther up the gradient are able to change behavior quickly. Punishment techniques are not taught in this book, but they are included and discussed to show their position as part of the whole range of discipline techniques. Another chapter offers suggestions on how to deal with anger and stress-both ours and our children's.

The first two chapters give an overview of parenting concerns, self-esteem and child development. The central portion of the book outlines specific discipline techniques. Each strategy is explained separately, including why the technique is valuable and how and when to use the technique for children of different ages. Within the descriptions of each technique are suggestions to individually shape that technique to specific problems you may be experiencing with your child.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"The Discipline Gradient is an invaluable resource for parents trying to raise responsible children in a changing world. The author invites parents to choose healthy and effective parenting strategies . . . empowering children to make good decisions and take responsibility for their behavior.

"Susan draws on her own experience as a mother and on her strong academic background to help parents build trusting relationships. She has tested and honed the gradient for 15 years in parenting education curriculums taught through Family Training Associates. Her book is more than a how-to-parent manual. It is well-organized, readable, and it makes sense!" (Carol Brice, M.Ed., Certified Family Life Educator. Director, Family Training Associates, Fairbanks, Alaska)

"The Discipline Gradient is an excellent book and a valuable resource for parents because it addresses individual differences in children. Most parenting books offer one or two suggestions that the authors imply will work with all children. As a child psychologist, I know that children require customized discipline techniques that address their needs.

"The Discipline Gradient demonstrates to parents the idea that they can start with positive parenting strategies that build internal controls and strong moral ideals. . . . As a parent and a child psychologist, this is a book I would highly recommend to both friends and clients." (Cynthia L. Divino, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist. Clinical Training Supervisor, University of Colorado at Boulder)

About the Author

A mother of three children, Susan Thierman has been a parent educator for more than fifteen years, developing and teaching parenting curriculums for Thierman Consulting and Family Training Associates. She was an instructor for the University of Alaska Fairbanks paraprofessional counseling program for five years and an education specialist for four years. Susan received her M.Ed. in community counseling and her M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and she is a nationally certified family life educator.

Edition details

• Publisher: Spruce Mountain Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0966960904
• ISBN 13: 9780966960907
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 270