What is behavior management?
People can have different ideas about discipline and what it means, but the general approach to discipline in the USA is to teach towards a desired behavior. Disciplining a child is not the same as punishing a child. Punishment is a punitive form of discipline. It is done to the child, with the goal to gain control over the child; discipline is done with the child and the goal is to guide a child toward self-control. A child can take an active role in that process.
Because the word discipline can be understood in different ways, we often use the word behavior management instead. Parents or caretakers use behavior management strategies to guide a child towards a more desirable behavior. The adult will lead, direct, or advise the child on appropriate behavior. There are many different approaches. Different strategies work well based on the situation and children’s age. Behavior management strategies are used to encourage a child to develop self-control in following established rules.
Each parent defines the level of discipline that they want their children to have. When you arrive, talk about how they would like you to handle misbehavior in the home and follow their guidelines. For instance, a host parent will not feel comfortable if you are stricter with their child than they are. Although you may not agree with the level of discipline that the parents have with the children, you need to follow their rules. We include some common approaches to behavior management in this training, but again, please make sure your host parents feel comfortable with you using them.
Discipline will lose its effectiveness if you overuse it. Any particular form of behavior management will work the best if it is consistent, otherwise the child will get a mixed message.