DISCIPLINE comes from the word disciple. A disciple is a person who learns from someone else. The Child Development Education Pilot Program believes that good discipline is a learning process that involves compassion, caring, sensitivity, and guidance. The goal of good discipline is to help the child develop self-control, responsibility, and problem solving skills. It is important for children to learn that conflicts are a natural part of life. There are no “bad” children, only inappropriate behaviors. The program is based on mutual respect of the child as an individual with changing needs and desires and the child’s respect for the classroom environment, materials, teachers and classmates.
There are many ways that the teachers will encourage good discipline practices. These include:
A well planned physical environment and curriculum Acting as role models for the children Setting reasonable and positive expectations Respecting feelings Trusting each child to succeed Offering good, reasonable choices Calmly talking about problems Always reinforcing good behavior
Punishment or harsh treatment does not encourage the goals of good discipline. Our program does not allow corporal punishment by any staff or parent/guardian. Corporal punishment is defined as any treatment that humiliates or treats the child disrespectfully. This includes, but is not limited to spanking, belittling, shaming, shaking depriving food, water, naps, outside time, or bathroom facilities, unsupervised isolation, or improperly restricting the movement of the child. It is our strong belief that these methods work against the healthy growth and development of a child.
With groups of children interacting, there will be conflicts. The teachers will implement proven healthy strategies that are appropriate to the situation. Some guidance techniques that staff may use include, but are not limited to the following:
● Conflict Resolution – Teachers help children learn skills and language to work out disagreement with their peers.
● Redirecting the Child – Quite often, children need to be given concrete alternative suggestions for behavior to focus their energy in a positive way.
● Positive Encouragement – Teachers praise the appropriate behavior, being careful not to give much attention to the negative behavior.
● Natural Consequences – By helping a child realize that arriving late for group time activities will result in missing their turn.
● Removing the Child from the Group – This is handled in a calm manner without unnecessary stress to allow the child regain self-control.
Each child has different needs and requirements to develop self-control, judgment, and problem-solving skills. We will, therefore, work individually with each child and his/her parents to establish a positive program of discipline.
More information about our school-wide discipline program can be found by going to http://teacherweb.com/SC/WoodruffPrimarySchool/HomePage/SDHP1.stm and clicking on “Instructional Programs” and then “Conscious Discipline”.