Discipline that works?!
As I look ahead to a new school year, I am happily reminded that every year brings reflection on the past year and ideas I would like to implement this coming school year. Last year, I wanted to focus on “Conscious Discipline” since our grade level was being introduced to a new method of classroom management/discipline. https://consciousdiscipline.com/ I had to adapt my focus as the year progressed, so I could meet the needs of the students that I had at that time. I was able to introduce some of the concepts (safe place, problem solving, self-regulation, impulse control, empathy, etc.), but not as much as I would have liked to. This year, my goal is to better implement "Conscious Discipline" so that students can better understand how to self-regulate in a safe environment.
To give me some food for thought, I read the book titled, No Drama Discipline: The Whole Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, by Daniel J Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, PH.D. Although this book is geared towards parents, it is beneficial to teachers as well. Not only do some of the strategies carry over to the classroom, this could be an important tool to use when working with parents for the benefit of their child. The book presents possible scenarios that anyone working with children of various ages can relate to.
I chose this book because I thought that I could certainly benefit since I am a parent and well as a teacher. Having had some experience with “Conscious Discipline”, I knew one of the main ideas behind this discipline practice is teaching to the whole brain and understanding how different parts of the brain can be developed to help children learn skills to reduce impulses, develop coping mechanisms for feelings, and consider how their behavior affects others. One of the resources available in the back of the book is the “Connect and Re-Direct Refrigerator Sheet”. This is a great resource because it really does summarize how the discipline practice works using the whole brain, as does “Conscious Discipline”.
It is important to realize that it is never too late to make changes and not feel stuck in a negative loop. Whether thinking about adults or children, we do not have to limit ourselves with a fixed mindset. Many believe that abilities can be developed if a person is ready to make changes (https://mindsetonline.com/).
After reflecting on the No Drama Discipline book, several ideas really stuck out to me and gave me food for thought. If you have read the book or are familiar with “Conscious Discipline” and would like to share your ideas, please do! Here are my take-aways, some quoted from the book:
“You really can discipline in a way that’s full of respect and nurturing, but that also maintains clear and consistent boundaries.”
Children need to develop a moral compass and sometimes that is left up to teachers
We “do not want fear, punishment, and drama to be used as a primary motivator of children” because that demonstrates “that power and control are best tools to get others to do what we want them to do.”
Why did they do it and what is the lesson to be taught?
Discipline is teaching and training.
“Behavioral issues can’t be resolved with a one-size fits all approach that we apply to every circumstance, or environment, or child.”
Young students’ brains are developing. Sometimes they really do not know why they did something! “Curiosity is the cornerstone of effective discipline.”
“When children feel furious, dejected, ashamed, embarrassed, overwhelmed or out of control, that’s when we need to be there for them.”
Recognize feelings to make a connection
Consistent but not rigid
You got so ____. You _____. What was going on? What could you do next time you feel _____?
Experience molds the brain.
