Parenting Archives

Parental Rewards and Punishments: Examples & Alternatives

What are some examples of rewards and punishments for children? Is a reward and punishment system healthy for kids? What is an effective alternative? Author Alfie Kohn says parents who mainly focus on whether or not a child is being good or bad are creating a system of rewards and punishments with potentially harmful effects on children. In Unconditional Parenting, Kohn gives examples of rewards and punishments, including why they don’t work and some alternatives. Keep reading for Kohn’s examples of rewards and punishments and what parents can do differently.

2 Ways to Promote Independence in Early Childhood

Why is promoting independence in early childhood important? What are some effective ways to promote independence? Author Alfie Kohn created his unconditional parenting technique to teach parents how unconditional acceptance leads to more emotionally stable children. While this technique is more demanding than traditional parenting, Kohn says your investment will promote independence in early childhood. Read on to learn Kohn’s two ways to promote independence in early childhood.

Rewarding Good Behavior: Is It Helping or Harming Kids?

Should you reward children’s good behavior while punishing bad behavior? Does rewarding good behavior help or harm kids in the long run? Author Alfie Kohn cautions that it’s easy for parents to forget about long-term goals when busy or overwhelmed, instead shifting their focus to whether or not a child is being “good” or “bad” at any given moment. Kohn says creating a system of rewards and punishments leads to potentially harmful outcomes in children. Read on to learn Kohn’s advice about rewarding good behavior, including his examples of rewards for children.

Does Good Discipline for Kids Mean No Punishments?

Which forms of discipline are good for children? What do experts say about punishing your kids? According to author Alfie Kohn, good discipline for children relies on unconditional support and acceptance, not rewards and punishments. Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, has received praise for its rejection of mainstream parenting techniques, choosing compassion in the face of bad behavior. Keep reading to learn Kohn’s advice for learning good discipline skills that will help children, not harm them.

First-Time Parents: The Most Important Thing to Know

What is most important for first-time parents to know? What advice can you learn from research in parenting? As a first-time parent, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of parenting advice available to you. However, author Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting book takes a simple approach to effective parenting: showing your children unconditional support, acceptance, and understanding. If you’re a first-time parent looking for proven advice, keep reading to learn Kohn’s unconditional parenting technique.

The Importance of Play in Early Childhood

What is the importance of play in early childhood? How does playtime affect a child’s focus? Stolen Focus by Johann Hari says that playtime is crucial for a child’s cognitive skills. How children spend their time contributes to rising levels of difficulty in paying attention. Learn how changing a child’s lifestyle and playtime can affect them.

Poor Parenting Skills: Here’s What Not to Do

Which parenting skills are potentially harmful to children? How does mainstream advice teach poor parenting skills? In Alfie Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, he argues that mainstream parenting advice has several potentially damaging effects, even leading to poor self-esteem and depression in children. Kohn’s technique of unconditional parenting aims to make children feel more loved and accepted by their parents. Read on to find out why society may have taught you poor parenting skills and learn Kohn’s solution.

3 Good Parenting Skills Every Parent Should Know

Which good parenting skills do the greatest parents use? Of all the good parenting skills, which are most important to know? In Alfie Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, he advocates for “gentle” or unconditional parenting which doesn’t rely on a system of rewards and punishments. Rather, Kohn advises that good parenting skills consist of unconditional support, acceptance, and trying to understand your children’s perspectives. Keep reading to learn the three good parenting skills every parent should know, according to Kohn.

How to Be a Parent: Alfie Kohn’s 3 Guidelines

Want to know how to be a parent in today’s ever-changing world? What should you know to be a great parent? Author Alfie Kohn argues that mainstream parenting has several potentially damaging disadvantages, including poor self-esteem and depression in children. In Unconditional Parenting, Kohn presents a new approach built on unconditional support, acceptance, and understanding. Keep reading to learn Kohn’s advice about how to be a parent in today’s world.

Treating ADHD In Children: Are We Failing?

Are we failing to treat ADHD in children? How are we addressing it now? Stolen Focus author Johann Hari says that we’re failing to effectively address ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in children. He says that instead of medicating them, we need to find the underlying reasons and solve them. Keep reading to learn the factors that lead to ADHD and the risks of ADHD medication.