From The Straits Times    |
Singapore expert shares parenting tips: how to discipline your child

Your little one is throwing a tantrum and refuses to listen to you, and you are at your wits end. What do you do?

Charity group Focus on the Family in Singapore is conducting a workshop titled Parenting With Confidence in November and December, aimed at helping parents. Cheryl Ng, facilitator with Focus on the Family, shares with us some discipline tips you can try.

Singapore expert shares parenting tips: how to discipline your child
DISICIPLINE A CHILD BETWEEEN TWO AND SIX YEARS OLD:

1. Reason with him and set boundaries. Tell him what are the things he can and cannot do, and why. For example, explain to him which items at home belong to you and why he cannot touch them. This will also teach him how to respect other people’s property.

2. Teach him the consequences of his actions and set your expectations. For example, if he does not keep his toys after play time and you have to do it for him, then he cannot play with them for a week.

3. Praise him each time he obeys and does something right. But don’t overdo it – keep your praises for times when he achieves something new; the moment something has turned into a good habit, stop the praising. This will prevent your child from expecting it all the time.

DISCIPLINE A CHILD BELOW TWO YEARS OLD

1. Distract him each time he throws a tantrum. For example, point to something in the sky or a car zooming by so he will forget about his hissy fit. A child’s attention span is very short so any form of distraction will help.

2. Swoop and scoop. Remove him from a volatile situation so he can re-focus his energy on something else. For example, if you are in a candy store and your child is insisting on getting a lollipop, take him out of the shop and go somewhere else.

3. Use facial cues, like putting on a stern face when your child does something you are not happy about. Do this often enough and he will understand. However, research has shown that this tends to be more effective with girls than boys, as girls are more attuned to others’ feelings. Although sons are not totally immune to this form of discipline, you need to get their attention first before giving them clear instructions about what and what not to do. Image: Getty Images

The Parenting With Confidence workshop runs from 10am to 1pm on Dec 10 and Dec 17 at Jurong Point. The workshop also takes place on Nov 22, Nov 29, Dec 6 and Dec 13, from 7pm to 10pm at Focus on the Family HQ, #08-03 Bishan Junction 8 Office Tower. Fees are $60 per adult and $90 per couple. Log on to www.family.org.sg for more details.