Discipline Guidelines

By

State of Minnesota

Department of Human Services

Division of Licensing

Family Child Care Licensing (Day Care Facilities)

MN Rules, Part 9502.0315 - 9502.0455

• Do not use corporal punishment (physical discipline). This includes, but is not limited to, rough handling, shoving, hair pulling, ear pulling, shaking, slapping, kicking, biting, pinching, hitting, and spanking.

• Do not use emotional or psychological abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, name calling, ostracism, shaming, derogatory remarks about the child, threats which threaten, humiliate or frighten the child.

• Discipline and punishment shall not be delegated to another child.

• The separation of a child from a group to guide behavior must be appropriate to the age of the child and circumstances requiring the separation.

• An infant should never be separated from a group for disciplinary reasons.

• A child should not be separated from a group for a period longer than ten minutes.

• A child that is separated from a group must be placed in an area or separate room that is well lighted, free from hazards, ventilated, and open to the view of caregivers.

• No child should be placed in a locked room to separate them from everyone.

• No child should be punished for child toilet training accidents.

• The goal of discipline is to teach children acceptable behavior. Whenever possible, teach children what you want to see rather than punishing them, i.e. teach by example.

• View children's misbehavior as a mistake in judgment. It will be easier to think of ways to teach more acceptable behavior.

• Never hit, spank, or shake infants. They do not know right and wrong. They do not misbehave on purpose. They need love and protection, not punishment.
• Create a safe environment for children. Baby-proof the house. Distract or remove infants and toddlers when they are doing something they shouldn't be doing.

• Provide order and consistency. Whenever possible have regular times for meals, studying and bedtime.

• Give toddlers and preschoolers age-appropriate choices and consequences.

• Establish family rules that are appropriate for children's ages. Keep them few in number with clear and reasonable consequences for not obeying.

• Develop a trusting relationship with children by protecting them from harm, by being honest and trustworthy, and by exhibiting predictable and mature behavior.

• Children need to hear more good things about themselves than bad things. Offer praise for appropriate behavior. Praise will increase that behavior.