The Difference Between Consequences & Punishments

The terms “punishments” and “consequences” are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite different. The goal of punishment is for you to feel bad for what you’ve done. When you feel bad about yourself, you’re pushed to the lower centers of your brain. The goal of consequences, on the other hand, is for you to reflect on the impact of your actions on yourself and others. From your executive state, you can learn from a mistake and choose to change. You must metaphorically climb up to the higher centers of your brain to learn from your mistakes.
When we respond to children’s challenging behaviors with punishment, kids form mental models about themselves and continue to make the same mistakes. If we want children to learn from a consequence, we must help them reach their executive state so they can reflect and take personal responsibility.
Listen in as Dr. Becky Bailey shares more about the consequences and punishments in this clip from our Powers of Resilience: SEL for Adults online course here: consciousdisci...