(a) Appropriate discipline.  Discipline shall be constructive and educational in nature and appropriate to the child's age and circumstances.

(b) Staff requirements.  All staff members shall:

• (1) recognize and encourage acceptable behavior;
• (2) teach by example and use fair and consistent rules in a relaxed atmosphere with discipline that is relevant to the behavior exhibited;
• (3) give clear directions and provide guidance on the child's level of understanding;
• (4) redirect children by stating alternatives when behavior is unacceptable;
• (5) use "time-out" periods only as necessary and not to exceed five minutes for preschool-age children. (One minute of time-out for each year of a child's age is recommended.)

(c) Acts prohibited.  No staff member shall: 

• (1) subject children to punishment of a physical nature, e.g., shaking, striking, spanking, swatting, thumping, pinching, popping, shoving, spatting, biting, hair pulling, yanking, slamming, excessive exercise or any cruel treatment that may cause pain;
• (2) put anything in or on a child's mouth as punishment;
• (3) restrain a child by any means other than holding for no longer than necessary for the child to regain control;
• (4) subject children to punishment of a psychological nature, e.g., humiliation by derogatory or sarcastic remarks about them, their families, race, gender, religion or cultural background;
• (5) subject children to harsh or profane language or actual or implied threats of physical punishment;
• (6) punish and/or threaten children in association with food, rest or toilet training;
• (7) isolate a child without supervision or place him or her in a dark area; or
• (8) seek or accept parental permission to use any punishment or acts prohibited by the requirements contained in this subsection.