- Thesis Statement: Punishment and discipline are very important during early childhood since it determines the future development and growth of a child.
- Reasons for punishment/discipline during early childhood
- Counterarguments on punishments/discipline during early childhood
- Conclusion
Introduction
Arguably, early childhood is one of the critical stages in the growth and development of a child. As a matter of fact, the characteristics of a child at later stage depends on how a child undergoes the biological and cognitive development during early childhood. The early experiences that a child undergoes will be a determinant of the future economic participation, social lifestyle, health, as well as education performance. One of the crucial factors that influence the development and growth of a child during early childhood discipline and punishment. During early childhood, children undergo tremendous growth, which is highly influenced by the environment they live in and its surroundings. In fact, some of the behaviors that adults posses can be traced back to early childhood disciplinary and punishment strategies, such behaviors include poor numeracy and literacy, drug abuse, as well a criminality. There are various reasons that have been brought up in support of punishment and discipline during early childhood. On the other hand, there are counterarguments that have also been raised on the issue of punishments and discipline. In general perspective, punishment and discipline are very important during early childhood since it determines the future development and growth of a child.
Reasons for punishment/discipline during early childhood
Child discipline and punishment is one of the popular topics in the world today. The children are rared all the times and from one generation to another. At any given point in time, there is a child who is developing and growing by learning various aspects of life. During early childhood, punishment and discipline is acts as a roadmap to the future life of the child. Discipline is one of the important aspect of growth that is essential (Benson & Haith, 2009). For a child to be disciplined, punishment should be used, but what is controversial is the type of punishment that is used. Discipline and punishment are also important during childhood because it teaches children to respect others, follow rules, as well as be tolerant. Studies show that children who do not discipline or punish their children during early childhood will always be a problem to the parents and society.
Discipline and punishment are also rational during early childhood because it induces and teaches children to be responsible. Evidently, without punishments or discipline is difficult to expect a child to be responsible during early childhood, adolescents, or even adulthood. Hence, it is important to discipline the child during early childhood so that they will grow knowing what responsibility is all about (Mah, 2007). Discipline and responsibility go hand in hand; therefore, discipline should be administered well during the early childhood. For example, a child will be aware of what is wrong and right, and will always ensure that doing something wrong has repercussions in the future.
In addition, punishment and discipline are the basis of respect in children. During early childhood the behavior development of the child is at its initial stage. Children who are taught to be disciplined and punished for doing something wrong will always respect themselves and others in society (Saunders & Goddard, 2010). Therefore, it follows that disciplining and punishing a child during early childhood is preparing a better future for the child, as well as building a safe society in the future. Disciplining and punishing a child during early childhood is crucial since it develops self confidence and self worth. Studies show that children who are punished when they make a mistake, and those that are disciplined are confident, independent, value themselves, and have self control.
Healthy relationship forms a good base of living in a peaceful and secure environment. It is of essence to note the parents, the society and the child value healthy relationship. Disciplining the child during early stage of life builds a strong and healthy relationship that is based on respect and trust. The development of healthy discipline defines the boundaries of every individual in society, which in turn reduces the issues of bickering, yelling and arguing. Perhaps, punishment and discipline informs the child that the parents and elders are in control of various issues in the family (Benson & Haith, 2009). The child will grow knowing that the parents define boundaries for them on issues of valuable skills, health, and socialization. Children who do something bad always feel guilty, which may affect the socialization of the child during early childhood and in the future. Hence, punishing the child will help in reducing the degree of guiltiness and teach them to avoid committing the same mistake in the future. The advantages of punishment is achieved only when the child is punished genuinely for the mistake they have committed (Bremer & Fox, 1998). Punishment that is subjected to a child outside the scope of punishment will make things worse. Positive discipline should form the basis of disciplining a child since it minimizes misbehavior and child’s frustrations.
Discipline and punishment is essential part of parenting a child during early childhood. Undeniably, punishments and discipline fosters appropriate behavior among children and acceptance. Children will grow in a good manner, and in the future they will learn to postpone leisure at the expense of necessary needs, and more so become assertive without being hostile or aggressive (Saunders & Goddard, 2010). Society is full of challenges and uncertainty, but disciplining and punishing a child during early childhood will develop some sense of tolerance in times of discomfort. Effective discipline and punishment are crucial during early childhood because it helps children to internalize rules, acquire essential behavior patterns, as well as organizing themselves.
Counterarguments on discipline and punishment during early childhood
Discipline and punishment during early childhood is asserted to affect the growth and development of a child negatively. It should be noted that punishments and mode of discipline come in various ways, and the problems that are attributed to it is the impact that has on children. It is very difficult to measure the degree of punishment that correlates with the mistake that a child has committed (Benson & Haith, 2009). Therefore, when a heavier punishment on a child is administered as compared to the mistake, then the child becomes problematic and more indiscipline. On the other hand, if the punishment is lesser than the mistake the child will not learn from mistakes but rather be encouraged to commit more mistakes in the future. Hence, there is no guarantee that punishment and discipline play a crucial role in shaping a child during early childhood.
The future of a child depends on various factors not only discipline and punishment. One of the crucial changes that a child undergoes during this stage is the brain development. The behavior of a child in future can be based on how their brain developed during early stages. A child may be disciplined and punished during this stage, but because of poor cognitive development they cannot learn from their mistakes (Saunders & Goddard, 2010). In such situation, punishment and discipline do not make any difference in the development and growth of a child.
Parents and those who take care of children do not understand the concepts of punishment and discipline. It is for this reason that punishments and mode of discipline vary among parents during early childhood. Parents use spanking and other cruel way of punishing and disciplining a child, which is more adverse to the development of the child during early childhood and in the future. To be realistic most children employ physical punishment to children during early age, this is unacceptable because it makes the child aggressive and develops a sense of insecurity (Mah, 2007). Physical punishment encourages aggressive behaviors because they cannot comprehend the purpose of punishment and unacceptable physical aggression. In addition, harsh discipline and punishments hinders the cognitive development of a child during early childhood. Research shows that students who were subjected to harsh and immeasurable discipline measures during childhood have cognitive problems. Other impacts adverse effects of punishment and discipline among children in early childhood hinders their socialization behaviors.
Conclusion
Punishment and discipline play a crucial role in the development of a child during early childhood and in the future. Perhaps, it should be noted that discipline and punishment during early childhood mold the behavior of a child and develops a sense of self control and respect. The issue of responsibility is also driven from well applies punishment and discipline. The world today is diverse; hence, disciplining the child during early stage of life builds a strong and healthy relationship that is based on respect and trust, making him/her be best option in the future. Despite the importance of discipline and punishment, it also has adverse effects on the life of the child. When a child is subjected to physical punishment during early childhood, the child becomes aggressive and violent. This sort of characteristics are risk factors for the community in the future. Discipline and punishment also cannot be well measured , making it difficult to fairly administer it. In general perspective, it can be stated that , punishment and discipline are very important during early childhood since it determines the future development and growth of a child.
References
Benson, J. B., & Haith, M. M. (2009). Social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood. London: Academic.
Bremer, V., & Fox, A. (1998). Parental Discipline and behavior problems in Young Children. Journal of genetic psychology, 159, 251-256
Mah, R. (2007). Difficult behavior in early childhood: Positive discipline for PreK-3 classrooms and beyond. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin Press.
Saunders, B. J., & Goddard, C. (2010). Physical punishment in childhood: The rights of the child. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
