A nurse is providing teaching to the guardian of a toddler about discipline techniques. Which of the following statements by the guardian indicate an understanding of the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. "I will remain with my child throughout each timeout session.": The purpose of a timeout is to remove the child from stimulation and provide an opportunity to calm down and reflect. Staying with the child during a timeout defeats this purpose, as it may reinforce attention-seeking behaviors instead of encouraging self-regulation. B. "My child is most likely to correct behaviors when they experience natural consequences.": Allowing children to experience natural consequences helps them learn cause-and-effect relationships and develop responsibility for their actions. C. "My child will learn rules when we offer rewards for positive behavior instead of verbal praise.": While tangible rewards can be helpful initially, consistent verbal praise is a more effective long-term strategy for reinforcing desired behaviors. It builds intrinsic motivation and encourages the child to repeat good behavior without expecting material rewards. D. "I will be careful not to ignore it when my child misbehaves.": Ignoring minor attention-seeking behaviors can be an effective discipline strategy, as it prevents reinforcement through attention. Overreacting to small misbehaviors may inadvertently increase their frequency rather than reduce them.