Empowering parents with the skills to support positive discipline and future success

Jamie Wilson<jmwilson@msu.edu> -

Michigan State University Extension offers Positive Discipline workshops to help adults learn how to discipline their children.

Family on the bed with children

Many parents struggle with finding effective discipline for their young children. Despite this common problem, research shows addressing this issue is critical since helping young kids learn self-control is crucial to their ability to be successful now and in the future.

To support parents and caretakers in this important task, MSU Extension offers Positive Discipline workshops to help adults learn how they can create appropriate environments and experiences to strengthen self-control development. As a result of these classes, nearly 200 parents and caregivers who attended these workshops in 2016 reported statistically significant increases in their understanding of and ability to implement positive discipline with young children. In particular, attendees reported a:

  • 11% increase in their understanding of the importance of “me” in creating an environment where children can learn and practice discipline and self-control.
  • 10% increase in their knowledge of the difference between punishment and discipline.
  • 7% increase in their ability to utilize appropriate consequences for children.
  • 5% increase in those that had the skills to implement positive discipline with young children.

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