Mastering Discipline: Unveiling the Five Key Components for Discipline

Mastering Discipline

Discipline is an important component of the maturing process. It isn’t always fun for the adults (unless the students are really naughty), but it is an important job. Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing the growth in our students as they mature. Healing Children’s goal is to assist our students in developing effective coping skills, such as handling disappointment, rectifying mistakes, and repairing relationships after causing harm. We all know life has ups and downs, and our students must learn to function in society. Overprotecting them from the consequences of their behavior does not help them understand the skills they will need later in life. Remember, our job is to guide them along the path of continued maturity. 

Here are five key components to improve the effectiveness of our disciplinary efforts with our students:

  1. Avoid Power Struggles:
    • Keep interactions with your students calm and non-emotional, even when they are upset or throwing a temper tantrum. It’s our job to set an example. Your student’s maturity, or lack thereof, is their responsibility. Your job is to follow through with what you originally asked the student to do.
    • Remember that when we’re around others, our emotions affect each other. If you stay calm, there’s a higher chance that they will too. (Polyvagal, baby) 
    • When we respond with anger, they are distracted by our anger and are more likely to blame us for their behavior. In addition, it hurts our relationship with our students and makes school interactions stressful. When we lose our cool, we take those interactions home with us. It isn’t good self-care.
  2. Remember and Follow through with the Original Expected Behavior:
    • Clearly state your expectations calmly and wait until the student does what has been asked. 
  3. Provide Minimal Choices: 
    • We want to follow through with the original expectation. Providing too many choices, especially during a meltdown, may accidentally reinforce misbehavior.
  4. Practice Expected Behavior during non-disciplinary times:
    • Encourage the student to reflect on and practice the expected behavior during calm moments.
    • Reinforce positive actions with encouraging statements and social reinforcements.
  5. Ensure Safety During Outbursts:
    • Redirect the student to a safe space during an outburst.
    • Ignore disruptive behavior, calmly wait (with minimal interactions) for them to calm down, and follow through with the original expectation.

Bonus Tip: Collaborate with Colleagues:

  • Brainstorm with other teachers on effective ways to set boundaries and handle discipline.
  • Share experiences and strategies to create a supportive and consistent approach across the school.
  • Learn to laugh and have fun with your colleagues; we are all in this together. The more we let go of trying to control someone else, the more we enjoy the process. 

Our goal is to create a positive and conducive learning environment for all students! 

If this all sounds confusing, take one of our classes to learn more. Take a live course  or an on demand course or purchase our book “Healing Discipline: Bringing Hope to Shattered Lives, A Guide for Educators.” We are also happy to discuss any questions or concerns you might have via phone or email.  You can contact us at 1-888-311-1883 or email us at info@healingchildren.com.

Healing Children, LLC. www.healingchildren.com  This blog is copyrighted material used with permission from © (2012-2024) Sharelynn, LLC. All rights reserved. 

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