Guidance for Effective Discipline

SUMMARY

When advising families about discipline strategies, pediatricians should use a comprehensive approach which includes consideration of the parent-child relationship, reinforcement of desired behaviors, and consequences for negative behaviors. Corporal punishment is of limited effectiveness and has potentially deleterious side effects. Therefore, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents be encouraged and assisted in the development of alternative methods other than spanking for dealing with undesired behavior.