Why is it so important to be Positive?

* Children need positive attention. If they receive positive attention they don't need to strive for negative attention through missbehavior, since to them that's better than no attention at all.

* Parents need to think positively about their children. Using words as "you can do so much better next time" , "you played so nicely", " that was very frustrating and you stayed calm and patient"

If parents lable their children negatively by saying how bad they are, they will believe this and that is how they will think of themselves.

*The positive discipline means, parents teach their children that there are consequences for misbehaving, while at the same time letting them know they are loved and expected to do better next time. Remember that every child has their unique temperament and therefore you need to adapt to the unique temperament and development of each child.

* Lack of praise and attention for appropriate behaviors leads to an increase in misbehavior. Children need praise, positive attention, rewards, smiles and hugs. They can not be expected to function without positive attention.

* Children's behavior does not need to be "perfect" to receive a praise. They need praise every time they are attempting a new behavior. They need reinforcement for every small step, otherwise if they have to wait until they have mastered the new behavior before being praised, they may give up altogether. The praising process sets a child up for success.

What Can I Do To Prevent Child Abuse?

What You Can Do To Prevent Child Abuse

• Learn about child abuse and neglect.
• Be alert to the "Red Flags."
• Be prepared to make a report.
• Do something.
• Speak up.
• Support National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
• Advocate for services to help families.
• Ask your local television stations to have non-violent programs for children.
• Support your local Child Abuse Council.
• Support the victim.
• Find help for yourself if you are overwhelmed.
• Empower the community to respond.
• Take a child or family under your wing.
• Become a foster parent or grandparent.
• Encourage your church, social and community organizations to provide outreach to at-risk families.
• Lobby your community leaders to address the problem.
• Volunteer your time.
• Don't turn your back on a situation.
• Ask your school to provide prevention education to the children.
• Talk to your kids about personal safety and body limits.
• Be sensitive to the needs of troubled or isolated families.

If a Child Comes to You...

• Your job is to simply report what the child tells you, not to investigate the situation.
• Attempts to investigate may:
  • Tip off the perpetrator and cause them to flee or destroy evidence.
  • Cause a child to retract if they think you don't believe them.
• Reassure the child that they did the right thing by telling you and they are not to blame
• Don't promise them that you won't "tell"
• Tell the child that what you plan to do to help protect them
• Talk with the child if they need to vent - be ready to listen and be supportive
• Be respectful of the child's need for, or dislike of touching while trying to comfort them…do so with caution and only with the child's permission
• Consider helping the child get professional counseling
• Mandated Reporters are not required by law to tell the parent/caretaker that a report has been made. However, one should keep in mind that parents/caretakers are not always the perpetrators and may not be aware that their child exhibits signs of abuse.
• Find a place to help with your feelings too.

Age Factors to Consider for Preschool Age Children

• At higher risk for serious injury.
• Stories are generally truthful.
• Don't know abuse is serious…their value of right and wrong is based on family behavior.

Age Factors to Consider for School Age and Teen Children

• More prone to self-report abuse.
• More aware of "normal" family behavior due to exposure to other families.
• Tend to be protective of substance abuse parents or caretakers - role reversal.
• Sexual abuse is often disclosed when family incest interferes with normal teenage relationships.
• Disclosure of abuse may have a "hidden agenda" such as revenge or anger towards parent or caretaker.

http://www.capcsac.org/what-to-do