Discipline Without Harm: A Better Way Forward for Children

Did you know that around 1.2 billion children worldwide experience corporal punishment at home every year? 

A new World Health Organization (WHO) report, highlighted by The Guardian, reinforces what some educators and child development experts have long known: corporal punishment does not correct behavior—it harms children and leaves lasting scars.

The research found that children exposed to corporal punishment are 24% less likely to be developmentally on track than their peers. The risks don’t stop there—negative impacts on mental health, lower self-esteem, increased aggression, and even long-term health problems can follow children well into adulthood.

The Hidden Cost of Fear

The belief that “discipline” must be painful or fear-based is deeply rooted in many cultures. For generations, many believed discipline had to be painful in order to be effective. But the evidence proves otherwise. Instead of fostering respect or learning, corporal punishment breaks trust, fuels fear, and stifles children’s ability to flourish.

When a child feels unsafe—whether at school, at home, or in their community—their ability to focus, form healthy relationships, develop social-emotional skills, and build resilience is compromised. 

No child can thrive in an environment where fear replaces support.

A Different Way Is Possible

At the Wellspring Foundation for Education, we have seen that there is a better path. For more than two decades in Rwanda, our teacher training and community development programs have shown that positive discipline and social-emotional learning (SEL) can transform schools and homes.

• Teachers learn to guide behavior through encouragement, clear expectations, and reinforcement—not punishment.
• School leaders model empathy, creating cultures of safety and respect.
• Parents gain confidence to set boundaries with compassion, building deeper connections with their children.

When children are nurtured rather than shamed, they develop resilience, self-control, and the confidence needed to succeed both in school and in life.

Stories of Change

Through our training programs, we have seen classrooms and homes once marked by fear transform into spaces of joy and growth.

Teachers who once relied on punishment now report fewer behavioral disruptions, stronger relationships with their students, and higher engagement in learning. School leaders share how positive discipline has reshaped school culture, making respect and empathy the norm. Parents tell us these same practices are helping them connect more deeply with their children, turning discipline into an opportunity for growth rather than conflict.

The ripple effect is powerful: when teachers, leaders, and parents embrace positive discipline, children begin to experience both school and home as places of belonging, safety, and possibility.

“When we first began training school leaders, teachers and families, many could not imagine discipline without beating, fear, or yelling at children,” says Rachel Mahuku, our Senior Program Manager.

“We knew changing mindsets would take time, but today parents share testimonies of how positive parenting has strengthened their bond with their children. School leaders and teachers, too, are reporting more engaged classrooms and greater students’ performance because of the shift in how they guide and support learners in a positive and more supportive way.”

The Time to Act Is Now

The WHO research findings are more than statistics. They are a call to action for governments, schools, and communities everywhere: to end harmful practices and embrace approaches that truly nurture children’s development.

Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and encouraged in their learning.
And every parent, teacher, and leader has a role to play in building that future.

At Wellspring, we remain committed to walking alongside schools and families as they replace punishment with positive support. Together, we can raise a generation that thrives not in fear, but in confidence, dignity, and hope.

Join Us

Replacing punishment with positive discipline isn’t just possible—it is essential. Together, we can strive to building schools, homes, and communities where every child can learn, grow, and dream—free from fear and full of possibility.