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.
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.
