Unlike many parenting programs, PDEP is not based on rewards and punishments. From our perspective, “discipline” is not about control but about guiding children along the developmental pathway, which begins at birth and continues through adolescence (and beyond).
Rather than teaching parents how to shape children’s behaviour externally, PDEP supports parents in becoming kind and wise mentors to children, respecting their individuality, and celebrating the wonder of their development. Through this process, children gradually learn how to regulate their own emotions, treat others with respect and empathy, and communicate constructively.
PDEP draws from major developmental theories, including attachment, constructivist and cognitive developmental theories. The program is also trauma-informed, helping parents to understand the role of activation and dysregulation in their own responses, as well as those of children.
Want to know more?
Read an article on the theoretical foundations of PDEP:
What is “Discipline” in the Age of Children’s Rights?