Media Release
15 October
For immediate release

Results show positive discipline works, hands down

Plunket is delighted the results of a Families Commission project show New Zealand parents are using positive parenting techniques rather than physical discipline.

The Families Commission investigated what kind of discipline strategies parents from 100 families were using with their pre-school aged children. The project report ‘Discipline in context: families’ disciplinary practices for children aged under five’ was published today.

Plunket New Zealand President Carol Becker has welcomed the results, which show Kiwi parents and caregivers are increasingly using positive parenting techniques – tools and tips to manage their children - rather than physical discipline.

“Plunket has been advocating for a change to positive parenting for the past eight years and these results reinforce the fact that parents want to use these techniques and to find out more about them,” she says.

Parents in the survey were three times more likely to use positive reinforcement, praise and affirmation than punishment. Only nine per cent of parents thought smacking was effective.

“Plunket has been working to educate parents that there are alternative methods to disciplining children and we are continuing to move forward with messages underlining positive parenting techniques but the work doesn’t stop here,” Carol says.

Plunket delivers a range of positive parenting services to families. These include core Well Child health visits and parenting education courses, but also more informal playgroups and courses on how to deal with young children as part of school education.

“Groups such as Plunket are here to work alongside and support New Zealand parents in what must be a nationwide commitment to creating strong, healthy families and strong, healthy communities.”

Plunket has been working with other agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development’s SKIP programme, to champion positive parenting throughout New Zealand.

Plunket clinical advisor Maria Browne says there are some ways to manage challenging behaviour in children. These include:

- Trying to model calm behaviour by learning to take a deep breath, counting to ten, and thinking about how you need to react to a situation.
- Developing consequences that are reasonable, related and respectful.
- Planning ahead to help your child avoid any mishaps, for example, ensuring your child is rested and not hungry before you go to the supermarket.
- Having realistic expectations.
- If your child is refusing to do something, trying to understand why. Maybe they want attention, are frustrated or are unsure of themselves. They might just need a hug or some encouragement from you.
- Getting into the habit of using positive language to focus attention on the outcome you want, for example ‘walk when you’re in the house’ rather than ‘don’t run in the house’.

For further information on positive parenting, go to www.plunket.org.nz or
http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/our-work/strong-families/skip/index.html

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