One important stage in a child's growth is certainly the development of a

conscience which is linked to the ability to tell right from wrong. This skill comes with time and good parenting, and my firm conviction is that punishment does not have much ofa role to play in this. Therefore I have to disagree almost entirely with the given statement.

To some extent the question depends on the age of the child. To punish a ver young child is both wrong and foolish, as an infant will not understand what is

happening or why he orshe is being punished. Once the age of reason is reached howevera child can be rewarded for aood behaviour and discouraaed from bad

This kind but firm approach will achieve more than harsh punishments, which might entail many negative consequences unintended by the parents.

To helpa child learnthe difference between right and wrong, teachers and parents should firstly provide good role modelling in their own behaviour. After that, if

sanctions are needed the punishment should not be of a phvsical nature. as that merely sends the message that it is acceptable for larger people to hit smaller ones an outcome which may well result in the child starting to bully others. Nor should the punishment be in any way cruel.

Rather,teachersand parents can use a variety of methods to discipline their young charges such a sdetention, with drawal of privileges. and time-out. Making the

punishment fit the crime is a useful notion, which would see children being made to pick up rubbish they have dropped, clean up graffiti they have drawn, or apologise to someone they have hurt.In these ways responsibility is developed in the child which leads to much better future behaviour than does punishment.