20/06/2021
We often use the terms "punishment" and "consequence" interchangeably, but they are not the same. Punishments don't teach a new, healthier skill to replace the challenging behavior. They rely on our judgment of the child's actions and don't ask the child to reflect or take personal responsibility. In fact, they demand that children feel the way we want them to feel about their behavior, rather than helping children feel their own feelings. Children often respond to punishments by blaming, defending, or deflecting rather than accepting responsibility. On the other hand, consequences encourage reflection and personal responsibility. They motivate children to use or learn a new behavioral skill and make more positive choices in the future.
Continue reading more about the difference between consequences and punishments in this article by Dr. Becky Bailey here, "Why Conscious Discipline Consequences Work and Punishments Don’t (And How to Give Effective Consequences)": https://consciousdiscipline.com/why-conscious-discipline-consequences-work/
