Positive Parenting

Positive parenting is about creating a nurturing home environment based on mutual respect, where children feel safe and supported, and ultimately grow into happy, responsible adults. The purpose of positive discipline is to teach children rules, values and behaviour in a non-punitive way, helping them to develop self-discipline.

One important question many parents ask is whether physical punishment of children – sometimes called corporal punishment – is an effective or desirable strategy to guide children to responsible adulthood. Based on community consultations, and the evidence of experts and researchers in the field, Peel Children’s Aid does not recommend or support physical punishment of children as a discipline technique. We feel it contributes to normalizing violence and is a risk factor for a number of long-term problems in children.

Peel CAS and many of our community partners offer resources and training in positive parenting techniques, tips and strategies for effective discipline for children of all ages.

Family Education Centre

The Family Education Centre offers parenting courses, podcasts and tip sheets, as well as parent-to-parent telephone and text support.

Positive parenting of older children

This guide offers suggestions for positive discipline techniques, rather than spanking or other forms of physical discipline that can result in physical, emotional and developmental harm. 

Positive parenting of young children

This brochure provides problem-solving techniques that help establish a process for preventing misbehaviour in younger children.

Positive parenting of Infants

No infant should be spanked, shaken or scolded. At this stage of their development, babies cannot understand consequences for their behaviour, and shaking or spanking a baby can do serious damage, including brain damage or death.