Six Strategies for Effective Discipline: Strategy 2 - Give Clear Directions, by Dr. Brad Schwall

Setting a target helps us know what behavior we want a child to show.  Giving clear directions communicates what we expect to the child.  Children have a better chance of behaving positively when we tell them what we would like them to do.  Giving specific directions prevents problems.  It is easier and more effective to establish expectations before a problem happens than to react to misbehavior.

Give Clear Directions

1. Get the child's attention
2. Give a specific direction
3. Check for understanding

Qualities of Clear Directions

Clear directions are:

• Given before a problem happens as much as is possible
• Phrased positively describing what you want to see happen
  
• Specific and concise

Examples: 

• "Walk by my side in the store."
• "Please put your socks in the sock drawer."
• "During story time, please sit still and quietly and listen."
• "In five minutes, it will be time to finish the game and brush your teeth to get ready for bed."
• "It is time to get some school work done.  Concentrate on the work only and then we will take a break in twenty minutes."
• "Put your lacrosse gear by the back door so it's ready to go."