Imagine: A 3-year-old son drops his father’s toothbrush into a toilet. There are several options: spank him to teach him not to do that again, scold him, or take something away from him to punish him.

But these responses wouldn’t teach him anything about why he shouldn’t drop toothbrushes in the toilet. At 3 years of age, he doesn’t understand anything about germs, money or plumbing. He didn’t do this because he wanted to damage the toothbrush or the toilet. He didn’t know that it was any different from dropping a toothbrush into the sink.

A new publication by Dr. Joan Durrant provides concrete answers to parents who want to raise their children without corporal punishment, in a positive climate. This guide also gives parents practice in thinking through their responses so that they are better prepared for parent-child conflict. It will help readers understand the links among child development, effective parenting and children’s rights.

Download the publication [PDF file, 2.2Mb]

Download the brochure [PDF file, 195Kb]

Download the Q & A [PDF, 91Kb]

Watch the video