In today’s fast-paced world, nurturing self-discipline in children is essential for their personal and academic success. Through consistent daily practices, parents and caregivers can help children develop the self-control and resilience needed to thrive in various aspects of life. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective daily practices that parents and caregivers can introduce to help children develop this essential trait.
Establishing Routine
Routine provides structure and predictability, which are essential for developing self-discipline. Therefore, encourage children to establish a daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, meals, homework, play, and bedtime. Consistency in daily activities helps children learn to manage their time effectively and prioritise tasks.
Setting Clear Expectations
Clear expectations provide children with a roadmap for behaviour and achievement. Thus, sit down with your child and discuss what is expected of them in various situations, such as completing chores, homework, or participating in extracurricular activities. Clearly defined expectations help children understand boundaries and responsibilities, fostering a sense of accountability and self-discipline.
Encouraging Goal-Setting
Teach children the importance of setting goals and working towards them. Therefore, encourage them to set both short-term and long-term goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Whether it’s improving grades, learning a new skill, or practising a sport, setting and achieving goals instils a sense of purpose and motivation, fuelling their self-discipline.
Practising Mindfulness
Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, can help children develop self-awareness and self-regulation. By teaching children to pay attention to their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment, mindfulness cultivates impulse control and emotional resilience, key components of self-discipline.
Encouraging Delayed Gratification
In a world of instant gratification, teaching children the value of delayed gratification is invaluable. Hence, encourage them to wait for rewards or privileges by setting up scenarios where they must delay immediate satisfaction for a greater reward later. Whether it’s saving allowance money for a desired toy or waiting to play after completing homework, practising delayed gratification strengthens children’s self-control and discipline.
By incorporating these daily practices into children’s lives, parents and caregivers can nurture the development of self-discipline from an early age, laying a solid foundation for their future success.
Mandy Brincat is a Gestalt psychotherapist who enjoys working therapeutically with adults on various issues, such as general mental health and wellbeing. She also has experience working with children with anxiety and day to day stressful problems, and on relational issues with couples.
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References:
- Modi, P. (2023, December 10). Self-Discipline In Young People: Tips To Encourage And Nurture Habits. Future of living and learning | Education Next. https://www.educationnext.in/posts/self-discipline-in-young-people-tips-to-encourage-and-nurture-habits
- Moore, C. (2020, February 7). 17 Self-Discipline Exercises to Help Build Self-Control. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/self-discipline-exercises/
- Morin, A. (2013, February 4). Teaching Kids Self-Discipline so They Can Grow Up to Reach Their Goals. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/teach-kids-self-discipline-skills-1095034