Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)
Lesson 7 : Factors affecting moral development in late childhood
Role of discipline in moral development
Discipline plays an important role in the development of a moral code. Moral codes develop from generalized moral concepts. In Late childhood, moral codes are greatly influenced by moral standards of peer group. As children reach the end of late childhood, their moral codes generally approach those of standards set up by their close adults. Discipline must be suited to the child’s level of development.
Essentials of discipline
Aiding in building of moral code: The teaching of right and wrong should emphasize the reasons why certain patterns of behavior are acceptable, it should be directed toward helping the child broaden specific concepts into more generalized, abstract ones.
Rewards: Rewards such as praise or a special treat for handling a difficult situation have a strong educational value. Rewards help the children to be motivated and to repeat the approved behaviours.
Punishment: Punishment must be developmentally appropriate and administered fairly. It must also motivate the child to conform to social expectations in the future.
Consistency: Good discipline should always be consistent. What is right today is right tomorrow and the next day. A wrong act should receive the same punishment every time, and a right act the same reward.
Participants