Dallas Family Counselor | To Spank or Not to Spank | 9 Effective Discipline Tips for Parents

By Published On: September 9th, 20162.4 min read

To Spank or Not to Spank? That is the question.

“Spare the rod and spoil the child” is a saying that has governed the idea of parenting for many years.

A study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that parents should reconsider spanking their children before the age of two. Children that receive physical chastisement prior to two years-old may have increased behaviors challenges during their school-age years.

Fox 35 News interviews Child Adolescent Expert Jada Jackson

Additionally, studies show that spanking and other forms of negative touch have a positive correlation with increased aggression in children. But these results are mostly a product of the long-term effects of spanking. What about now? What are the immediate effects of spanking/hitting children?

Researcher Kathy Stansbury and colleagues performed a study on the effects of spanking. Researchers in this study watched 106 public caregiver-child interactions that involved a child refusing to comply with a request and the caregiver having to correct the child. Researchers found that negative touch (e.g. spanking) did not encourage children to comply at all. In fact, positive touch (e.g. hugging) is actually what increased the likelihood of compliance.

Is a pat on the head really more effective than spank? According to this study it is, at least when it comes to compliance. Here are tips to assist in effective discipline.

9 Tips for Effective Discipline:

  1. Trust your child to do the right thing within the limits of your child’s age and stage of development.
  2. Make sure what you ask for is reasonable.
  3. Speak to your child as you would want to be spoken to if someone were reprimanding you. Don’t resort to name-calling, yelling, or disrespect.
  4. Be clear about what you mean. Be firm and specific.
  5. Model positive behavior. “Do as I say, not as I do” seldom works.
  6. Allow for negotiation and flexibility, which can help build your child’s social skills.
  7. Let your child experience the consequences of his behavior.
  8. Whenever possible, consequences should be delivered immediately, should relate to the rule broken, and be short enough in duration that you can move on again to emphasize the positives.
  9. Consequences should be fair and appropriate to the situation and the child’s age.

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AUTHOR: Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC – Communicator, Coach & Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides Family Counseling Services in Fort Worth. If you are in need of Family Therapy Services you can reach Jada at: (469) 757-5215

author avatar
Jada Jackson
National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.

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Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, masters level therapists, Español counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, business coaches, and image enhancement coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. TLC’s family, trauma and marriage experts have been interviewed on National and Local TV/Radio over 200 times for their expert advice on Fox News, OWN, WETV, ABC’s Medical Minute and more. Our skilled counselors are relational, approachable and specialists providing therapy services in the Central Florida area including: OrlandoWinter ParkMetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East OrlandoLake Mary, and Clermont, Boca Raton Florida, and Dallas, TX.

About the Author: Jada Jackson

National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.

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author avatar
Jada Jackson
National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.