Sonia Mitchell, Gleaner Writer
MANY PEOPLE are of the view that the discipline of children begins in the womb, since children become what they hear at that stage.
But, according to Dr Grace Kelly, chairperson of the Behavioural Sciences Department at the Northern Caribbean University, discipline really begins long before the birth of the child, with the parents.
Kelly argues that parents should understand that discipline is something that the child inherits from them. She says parents should also realise that discipline is critical to the pre-natal and early development of the children, and can impact children in a positive or negative way. She is advising parents to discipline the unborn child by reading, talking, and playing appropriate music during pregnancy.
Conflicting view
Dr Garth Lipps, lecturer of psychology, in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, at the University of the West Indies, has a different view. He says no child can be disciplined in the womb. There are no studies to support this view, he adds.
He tells The Gleaner, however, that there is some evidence that personality is genetically based, and can be transmitted from the mother to the child.
According to Lipps, the tendencies and traits the mother possess, are based on the genetic make-up which she received from her parents.
Voice recognition
Both Kelly and Lipps agree that mothers should avoid things that are harmful to the unborn child, like alcohol and smoking and that the unborn child be nurtured and supported.
Marleen McCalla, supervisor at Early Stimulation Plus Basic School, supports the view that discipline starts in the womb, pointing out that the unborn child recognises the voice of his/her parents.
"Even though the unborn child cannot talk, it can hear the parents, so discipline is very essential at this stage."
How to deal witha difficult child
Children may become difficult to control because of parental neglect and abuse, among other problems, experts are saying. They offer the following pointers on how to deal with these children:
Find out what is causing the child to have behavioural problems.
Take the child to a clinic or a therapist to get an assessment and to help diagnose the problem.
Decrease negative attention and praise children when they are doing good things (positive reinforcement).
Get the family to go to church, as this has a vast amount of positive benefits.
Supervise children and adolescents.
Sometimes parents should consider sending the child to another school as he/she may learn better in another environment or a smaller classroom.
Parents should listen and interact more with their children.
Parents should provide nutritional meals so that children can reduce the intake of sweets that can have a negative impact on them.
If it is an emotional problem, a school counsellor may be able to provide assistance.
Teaching the correct values and attitudes will empower them to be more obedient and productive.
Sources: Dr Bailey-Davidson, a consultant psychiatrist at the Child Guidance Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, and Pansie Porteous, a lecturer in abnormal psychology at the Institute of Theological and Leadership Development.
POSITIVE Parenting
