Most children will learn how to behave well if the environment in which they grow up is nurturing and caring. Children are more likely to grow up behaving well if they are:

• loved, valued and told how important they are
• shown how to behave well because the adults around them behave well
• not expected to behave in ways which are beyond their developmental capacities
• given clear rules and parents are consistent about them
• supervised well and kept occupied with appropriate activities
• provided with predictable and sensible routines
• having their physical and emotional needs well attended to

Good disciplinary practices include:

• positive reinforcement
• praise
• modeling
• structure and routine
• setting and maintaining limits
• realistic expectations and follow through
• verbal and non-verbal cues
• time outs
• logical consequences
• problem-solving