Effective Ways to Develop Self-Discipline in Kids

Teaching self-discipline to kids is important as it helps them delay gratification, control temptations, and adjust to the discomforts required to reach their long-term goals. From choosing to turn off the video game to concentrate on the home assignments, or not eating an extra cookie when mom is not seeing to keeping toys in their place, self-discipline is very important to help kids grow as responsible human beings.

According to the Montessori experts, parents and teachers should give kids the skills that they need to develop self-discipline as well as enough opportunities to practice making wise choices.

Provide structure:

Create a timetable that your kids will follow every day and eventually will get accustomed to it. If they know what they are expected to do, they will be less likely to get distracted with other activities. For example, a good morning routine helps kids know when they have to eat breakfast and get ready for school. Try to keep your child’s daily schedule simple and avoid making frequent changes. With practice, they will be able to follow the routine without any assistance from you. 

Explain the reasons behind your rules:

It is always better to have an open conversation with kids. So, if you want your kids to follow certain rules at home, please let them know the importance of following that particular rule. For example, instead of saying, “Take your bath now because I said so,” explain the reason behind that rule.

You can say “It is a good choice to take your bath every day at a particular time.” This would help them understand the importance of following a particular rule. Instead of giving lengthy lectures, give a brief explanation about why you think certain choices are important.

Share consequences: 

Many times natural consequences teach life’s greatest lessons. Kids who always forget to wear their jackets to school, will not learn unless they face some consequences. Feeling cold at break time might help them remember to wear their jackets to school next time. Other times kids need to have some logical consequences to develop self-discipline. For example, in Montessori La Puente, CA, kids who use a computer roughly learn to use it properly when they lose computer privileges.

One step at a time:

Please understand self-discipline is a process and takes time to develop this skill. You need to think of age-appropriate discipline strategies to shape your child’s behavior. Instead of expecting your preschoolers to follow the morning routine all by themselves without any reminders from you, stick a picture chart on the wall that depicts the morning routine in some easy steps.

Praise good behavior:

According to the Montessori experts, praising kids whenever they demonstrate good behavior encourages them to be self-disciplined. So, if you see your kids following certain instructions, please praise them. Praising kids for being self-disciplined and making wise choices increases the possibility that they will repeat that behavior.