Six Strategies for Effective Discipline: Strategy 1 - Set a Target, by Dr. Brad Schwall

The goal of discipline is to teach and guide to help children reach their potential. The best way to deal with an undesirable behavior is to teach a desirable behavior.

Set a Target

1. Define the problem
2. Consider child-development, temperament, and possible causes
   
3. Decide what positive behavior the child needs to learn
   

1.  Define the undesirable behavior

• What is the undesirable behavior?
  
• When is it happening?
  
• What problems is it causing?

2.  Consider child development, temperament, and possible causes

Child Development

• Is the undesirable behavior tied to a developmental stage?
  
• Are expectations for behavior realistic based on the child's developmental stage?

Temperament

• Though temperament is not destiny and labeling children is problematic, think about how the child's temperament is influencing the situation. 
• Evaluating the child's temperament can help you understand how best to guide the child.

Possible Causes

• Is the child being rewarded with extra attention because of the undesirable behavior?
• What circumstances, changes, or challenges might be influencing the behavior?
  

3.  Decide what positive behavior the child needs to learn

• What skill would help the child change the behavior?
• Think about what specific, desirable behavior would replace the undesirable behavior.