NCJ Number
197288
Date Published
2002
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape from the Texas Department of Health presents a series of segments designed to teach parents how to decrease violence in their children through rearing them with positive and gentle messages and actions.
Abstract
Arguing that violence is learned behavior, this videotape sponsored by the Texas Department of Health instructs parents on interacting with their infants and toddlers, through positive and gentle messages, in order to decrease violence in children. Broken into 10 segments, this videotape features a variety of infants and toddlers interacting with their parents in various situations. The first segment, “Gentle Touching,” highlights ways to touch infants in order to help them develop a sense of security. Demonstrating ways to stroke infants in order to calm them down, this segment also shows ways to redirect an infant’s behavior when he or she tries to grab at parents’ hair and/or faces. In “Just Like You,” the videotape instructs parents that, as their child’s first teacher, they should use calm voices and actions, as their babies will imitate what they see their parents doing. The segment on “Respect” discusses ways to show respect to babies through smiling at them, consistently responding to their needs, and including older children in infant care. In “Consistency,” ideas of having consistent bedtimes, bath times, and eating routines to demonstrate trust and love are highlighted. The segment entitled “I’m Mad” discusses how anger is normal in children and presents ways that parents can remain calm and understanding so that they do not become violent and angry in response. In “Limit Setting,” the videotape illustrates ways to set boundaries and rules for children, teaching them right from wrong. Arguing that boundaries make a child feel more secure, this segment highlights discipline over punishment. The segments on “Good Behavior” and “Chores” discuss teaching children respect and responsibility through chores and rewarding their efforts in completing these chores through praise and positive reinforcement. In “Working Things Out,” parents are instructed to enable toddlers to engage in conflict resolution by helping them find good solutions to negative encounters and tough situations with other children. The final segment, “Dealing with Violence in the World,” details ways that parents can train children to handle violent situations without scaring them. Information on how to prevent children from playing with guns and other weapons is included in this final segment.