Mumbai, January 06: A smacked child is a successful child, said a recent study. Young children, up to the age of six who are hit or slapped by their parents are likely to perform better at school, and be happier and more successful, when they grow up, compared to their peers who were never disciplined physically.

According to the study, only those children who are smacked up to adolescence, show behavioral problems, and may end up being scarred or damaged.

Many child psychologists, however, would like to disagree. Penelope Leach, British parenting guru and author of bestselling book Your Baby and Child, said physical discipline should always be avoided because no good can come from hitting a child.

While parenting is a challenge, and come with no guarantee, if parents acquire the skills of positive ways to discipline their child, it will go a long way in shaping the child’s personality for the better.

Physical punishment cannot accomplish the long-term goal of teaching the child self-control or discipline. The purpose of discipline, therefore, should be positive. Redirection, instead of physical punishment works much better in shaping the personality of the child. Redirection not only enables a sense of appropriate behavior in children but also helps them explore and discover on their own. So telling your children what ‘to do’ works better than ‘what not to do’.

The first five years of life are crucial for the personality development of your child. Smacking your child during this time or for that matter over protecting the child will lead to behavioural problems and low self esteem issues in future.

The rewards of positive discipline