Will children always make the choice we want them to make? No; and that’s okay! At times, we may be upset with decisions children make. As children grow older and become more independent, they will make more decisions on their own. It is natural to want to help children make good decisions. It can be hard to let them face a bad outcome and learn how their choices impact themselves and other people. Parents and caregivers help children to think through and make responsible choices. A consequence is what happens immediately after a behavior. Positive consequences show your child they have done something you like. Your child is more likely to repeat the behavior when you use positive consequences. Positive consequences include things like rewards, praise, and attention. Use positive consequences as much as possible for behaviors you would like your child to do again. Learn more about rewards, praise, and attention.
Negative consequences let your child know you do not like what they have done. Your child is less likely to repeat the behavior when you use negative consequences. Negative consequences are also called discipline. Negative consequences include things like ignoring, distraction, natural consequences, delay or loss of a privilege, and time-out. Use negative consequences for behaviors you would like your child to stop.
