When a child or toddler is smacked for doing what you don’t want them to do and they stopped the behaviour, you may think you got the desired result and so you continue using smacking as the go to in discipline.
However, smacking does not teach a child to self-regulate, self-discipline or appropriate behaviour.
In fact, it teaches the toddler/child that hitting other people is an OK way to deal with strong feelings. Also, you may hurt your child by hitting them, especially if you have not calmed down yourself before smacking them.
Children who are smacked have a higher risk of developing aggressive behaviour at Preschool and School than a child who isn’t smacked.
Instead, provide ways for your child to behave well.
Plan ahead. You know when your child is likely to resist getting dressed or misbehave while shopping.
Make sure your child has had enough sleep and provide a distraction while dressing them.
Prepare snacks to take while shopping. A well-fed child is a happy child and healthy snacks are a great distraction.
Move the breakables out of reach of your child.
A preschooler is able to understand consequences for broken rules such as time out for 5 or 10 minutes.
There are always alternatives to physical punishment.
You don’t want a child to obey out of fear. A respected and loved child is a happy child.
Smacking your child does not teach respect for others. It teaches your child being physical to get the desired result is OK.
Choose to show affection to gain the desired responses from your child.
