Natural and logical consequences are effective in helping children see the connection between their actions and the results of their behavior. Natural consequences include the results of a child’s actions without any adult interference. For example, the natural consequence of refusing to eat is hunger. The natural consequence of dropping your cookie in the bathtub is that it will get all soggy.
Natural consequences are sometimes dangerous or impractical. For example, it would be dangerous for a child to experience the natural consequence of running into the street because she might get hit by a car!
When natural consequences are unsafe for, you can use logical consequences to help your child correct her behavior. Logical consequences require adult intervention. A logical consequence for a four-year-old running into the street could be losing the privilege of playing outside. The parent might comment, “Looks like you need to play inside. When you can stay out of the street, then you can play outdoors.”
The following examples also illustrate the use of logical consequences:
• Three-year-old Alex says “Yuck!” and hurls his muffin across the kitchen. Alex’s dad picks up the muffin calmly and puts it in the trash. Alex goes without a snack.
• Four-year-old Cara loves to play with puzzles but refuses to help clean up. Her mother decides to give the puzzles a “vacation” and puts them in the storage closet for a day. She comments, “Cara, when you can show me that you are willing to help clean up, I’ll bring the puzzles back out for play.”
• Five-year-old Dena and four-year-old Peter are fighting. Their daycare provider says, “Looks like you two are having trouble getting along. Find something that you can play with together, or you will have to play alone in separate rooms.”
Choosing Words Wisely
Use your words carefully when you redirect children. Focus on what to do rather than what not to do.
TRY SAYING: “Slow down and walk” INSTEAD OF: “Stop running”
TRY SAYING: “Come hold my hand”
INSTEAD OF: “Don’t touch anything”
TRY SAYING: “Keep your feet on the floor”
TRY SAYING: “Use your quiet voice inside”
INSTEAD OF: “Stop screaming and shouting”
Disciplining children is not easy. Just remember, all kids misbehave or argue some of the time. You can respond quickly when your kids need guidance if you understand the reasons for their behavior and know your options.
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Oesterreich, L. (1995). Guidance and discipline. In L. Oesterreich, B. Holt, & S. Karas, Iowa family child care handbook [Pm 1541] (pp. 227-234). Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension. References to "caregivers" in this article have been changed to identify parents and other relatives for the Nurture Blog context. To read the original article in full visit this webpage on the NNCC website.
