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From: cim1@pyuxv.UUCP (G. Bogatko)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: corporal punishment
Message-ID: <128@pyuxv.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Sep-85 09:32:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxv.128
Posted: Fri Sep  6 09:32:01 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Sep-85 07:27:52 EDT
Organization: AGS Computers
Lines: 40


	There is another dynamic to this discussion that is being missed.

	The most rapid child development comes when their actions cause an
IMMEDIATE REACTION.

	For example: A child learns rather quickly not to put his hand
on a hot stove.  (Yes, there are exceptions, Yes, age makes a difference)
because the reaction (pain) is immediate. (No, I am not advocating pain).

	It takes a child a while to learn about why he/she should go to
bed because the reaction -- a hard time getting up the next morning in
time for whatever -- is *not* immediate.

	A child learns very quickly to be creative and spontanious if the
reaction is positive and *immediate*.  ex: Wow, that xxxx is fantastic.

	A child learns to be intellectually constipated if the reaction is
always one of disinterest and ridicule.  ex: That just looks like scribbles
to me.  Why don't you do something useful for a change.  You are worthless.

	A child becomes crippled if every action causes a negative reaction.

					and

	A child becomes crippled if every action causes a positive reaction.

	Good parents (good teachers) are able to strike a good balance.

	(No, I am not advocating Skinner boxes or brainwashing)

	Lesson: A reaction to a child's action, whenever possible should be
right then and there.  Things you WANT to have the child do should be
rewarded, and things you DON'T WANT to have the child do should be
punished (No, punish does not mean inflict pain) right then and there.

	N.B. Notice the comments in parens.  They are to pre-answer the
crackpots who don't bother reading beyond the first buzzword).

				-- G. M. Bogatko