Paradigm Shifts: Impacts of Positive Discipline on the Neuro-Psychological State of Learners

There has been a shift in how parents and educators approach discipline. Over the years, more people are embracing alternatives to violent forms of punishment disguised under the umbrella of discipline. This is due to many negative consequences which have been reported through its use including the cause of physical and psychological injury among others. One of the many such alternative approaches is positive discipline.

Positive discipline is an approach to parenting, behavior management, and teaching which emphasized guiding and teaching individuals how to manage their behavior rather than controlling or punishing them. It focuses on promoting self-discipline and having individuals who are responsible and respectful through the use of non-violent strategies. The goal of positive discipline is not to reward bad behavior but to shift the focus of discipline from the actions of the individuals through understanding the motives for behaviors and then helping to guide them on better behavior.

The Main Principles of Positive discipline include:

 Clear Expectations: positive discipline involves setting not only clear expectations but also, age-appropriate expectations and ensuring that the learners comprehend the expectation.

 Encouragement: Positive discipline emphasizes the use of positive reinforcement such as verbal affirmations, rewards, etc. instead of negative feedback and then, providing encouragement and acknowledging efforts and achievement.

 Problem-Solving: one core aspect of positive discipline is the encouragement of problem-solving and not mere reliance on punishment.

This, in turn, promotes active participation in addressing the challenges and conflicts of the learners.

 Natural consequences: rather than heavy reliance on arbitrary punishment, positive discipline allows learners to experience the natural consequences of their actions, this in turn, increases their sense of responsibility.

Neuro-Psychological Impacts of Positive Discipline on Learners

Neurological effects are changes in the structure, functions and activity of the nervous system, especially the brain which could arise due to various factors or interventions such as learning and experience, developmental processes, trauma and injury, etc.

Psychological effects on the other hand are changes in an individual’s thoughts, emotions, behavior, and overall mental well-being.

Some Neuro-Psychological impacts of positive discipline on learners include:

1. Positive discipline creates and fosters a healthy and stress-free environment for learners. The stress response system of children who are treated with respect and empathy is less likely to be triggered. Then, the developing brain becomes more focused on learning and problem-solving.

2. By exposing children to positive discipline, enhances the strengthening of their brain circuits and connections. This in turn improves their cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and social skills.

3. It fosters the development of emotional intelligence in learners by providing a supportive environment for children, they can learn to recognize, understand and manage their emotions and those of others. Additionally, it helps create a positive self-image, self-esteem, and an overall sense of belonging.

4. The use of natural and logical consequences helps learners understand the need to take responsibility for the outcomes of their behavior.

5. Some executive skills such as decision-making, impulse control, and problem-solving are enhanced through positive discipline practices.

Most of these impacts of positive discipline are gradual and occur over time and especially through consistent implementation. As Educational psychologists, we ensure that anything that can affect the psychological functioning of individuals is prevented.