Question

Which of the following nursing responses is most therapeutic when made in response to a parent's concern about her 3-year-old child's tendency to break the rules?

1. Just keep reminding her of the rules.
2. Daycare will help her learn to play fair.
3. She will begin to understand that concept in a year or so.
4. Add an age appropriate punishment for breaking the rules.

Answer 1

The most therapeutic response to a 3-year-old's rule-breaking is to use positive reinforcement, rewarding good behavior rather than imposing punishment. This strategy encourages learning through play and positive social interaction while avoiding the negative effects of punishment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to a parent's concern about their 3-year-old child's tendency to break rules, the most therapeutic nursing response would be to suggest the parent catch their child doing something good and reward them for it (positive reinforcement). This method follows modern psychology and parenting recommendations, which favor reinforcement over punishment. Using rewards for positive behavior can be more effective and does not have the potential negative effects associated with punishment, such as fear or increased aggression.

It's also important to remember that at this age, children are learning about the world through play, and by engaging in play they are developing skills such as following rules and working with others. While structured consequences like time-out (a form of negative punishment) can be used to discourage negative behavior, they should be age-appropriate and implemented carefully to avoid stifling a child's sense of initiative and independence.