Corporal punishment is the use of force (i.e. slapping, hitting, smacking, spanking, pinching, biting) to control a child’s behaviour. 

The ruling prohibits:

• Corporal punishment of children under 2 years of age
• Corporal punishment of children over 12 years of age
• Corporal punishment of any disabled child
• Hitting ANY child with an object
• Hitting ANY child on the head

TEN REASONS NOT TO SPANK YOUR CHILD 

1. Spanking teaches that if you are bigger you can hit.
2. Spanking does not teach useful behaviours.
3. Children who are spanked are more aggressive toward others. 
4. Children who are spanked learn it is O.K. to be “bad” as long as you do not get caught. They learn to be sneaky. 
5. Spanking stresses the parent-child relationship; it is difficult to trust someone who hurts you on purpose.
6. Children who are spanked are likely to have more behaviour problems. The more they are spanked the more likely they are to get into trouble. 
7. Children who are spanked feel powerless. As they grow older they may take part in risky behaviour. 
8. Children who are spanked learn to resent their parents. 
9. When spanking no longer works parents may lose control and hit hard enough to injure a child.
10. Children who are spanked may become bullies, as they grow older.

SOME ALTERNATIVES TO SPANKING

FOR TODDLERS

• Childproof you home. Crawl around on your hands and knees to see what he sees.
• Put breakables out of reach. Toddlers are curious.
• Let your child know when it is almost time to move on to something new. This helps your child to be more likely to agree without a fuss.
• Offer choices.  If your toddler wants to be close when you need to get something done, give him something to do close by.
• Avoid playgroups, shopping, etc. when your child is tired, hungry or not feeling well.  You know your child, and you will know the times when his behaviour will be most difficult.
• Try not to expect too much of your child.

FOR PRESCHOOLERS

• Have clear rules about acceptable behaviour
• Give choices whenever possible.
• Provide warnings when activity is going to change.
• Model the behaviours you expect from your child.
• Do not expect more from you child than you do from yourself.
• Understand that young children often misbehave when they are tired, hungry, worried, or getting sick.
• Give positive reinforcement for acceptable behaviour.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.