University of California's Spanish Broadcast and Media Services

Good guidance and discipline are not alwayseasy for most parents. Sometimes parents don'tknow what is best to do. Discipline is a way to correct and to teachchildren. It needs to make sense to them. It musthelp them feel good about themselves. It needsto give them a chance to correct their mistakes.Guidance is not punishment. Punishment onlytells children that they are bad. For instance,spanking your children doesn't teach them whatthey should do. It may teach them that it is allright to hit people. Have a few simple rules, make sure yourchildren understand them, and stick to them.Explain what will happen if they break a rule.

Tips for Disciplining: Try to keep calm when disciplining yourchildren. If you find yourself getting angryat your children, take time out. Praise your children's good behavior.Take time to put your affection into words. Tell your children what to do, rather thanwhat NOT to do. Change the situation whenever possiblerather than trying to change your children'sbehavior. Talk instead of hitting your children.Physical punishment like spanking canmake children feel that they are bad people.Your children will only earn to be afraid ofyou or to hit others.

The guidance that works best is fair, consistent, sensitive and loving.

SystemProduced by the University of California's Spanish Broadcast and Media Services, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Myriam Grajales-Hall, coordinator.