"DON'T SAY YES when you already said no"
Step-by-Step Approach to Effective Discipline

Submitted by:
Barry Belt, Psychologist, Executive Director, Attention Deficit Specialists

Step One: Identify Problem Behaviors
Discuss your child's problem behaviors such as yelling, talking back, or not finishing homework with your significant other. Discuss and agree on the problems together by providing specific examples of the problem behaviors.

Step Two: Work on One Behavior at a Time
While it is tempting to try to solve all problems at once, start with one specific problem. If the problem is complex, such as getting homework done each night, break the behavior down into smaller parts like bringing the correct books home, finishing Math homework, and finishing spelling homework.

Step Three: Identify Rewards for Good Behavior
With your spouse, decide on small, medium, and large rewards for your child, making a list of reinforcers of each size. Small reinforcers may include verbal praise and high fives. Medium reinforcers may be tangible items, edibles, or positive, special time alone with a parent. Large reinforcers may include a new video game or toy.

Step Four: Develop a Contract
Parents should develop a contract with rewards for compliance and consequences for non-compliance. The contract, which should be signed by all caregivers and the child, should clarify what behavior is expected of the child and the child's acknowledgement of expectations.

Step Five: Develop a Behavioral Chart and Point System
Parents should create a behavioral chart, breaking down expected behavior into the days of the week and the time of day, whether by hour or more general divisions like morning, afternoon, and night-time. The charts should be broken down into clearer, more specific behaviors such as "Start homework right away," "Stay focused," and "Complete homework neatly and accurately" under a heading of "Homework Routine." From the beginning, establish points to be earned for each behavior and the point value needed to trade-in points for each reward. For example, "Homework Routine" could be worth up to ten points each day and 50 points could be needed for a specific reward. The chart and point system should be explained to the child and put in a place that is visible to the child.

Next Column: Step-by-Step Approach to Effective Discipline Steps Six to Nine