What are the impacts of having restorative discipline in our elementary programs?
Focus on relationships:
The primary goal is to understand the impact of behavior on others and work towards repairing damaged relationships.Open communication:
Students are encouraged to express their feelings and perspectives openly, allowing for better understanding of the situation.Circle time:
Many restorative practices involve gathering in a circle to facilitate discussion and share thoughts in a safe space.Restorative consequences:
Instead of traditional punishments, consequences are designed to directly address the harm caused, like apologizing to the affected person or making amends.Empowering students:
Restorative practices aim to empower students to take ownership of their actions and actively participate in resolving conflicts.
Examples of restorative practices in elementary schools:
Peer mediation:
Students involved in a conflict work together with a trained mediator to reach a solution.Class conferences:
The whole class discusses a behavior issue, exploring its impact and collectively deciding on steps to repair the harm.Individual conferences:
A teacher meets with a student to discuss their behavior, understand their perspective, and develop a plan to move forward."I" statements:
Encouraging students to use "I" statements to express their feelings about a situation, helping others understand their perspective.
Benefits of Restorative Discipline:
Improved school climate and positive relationships between students and teachers
Reduced disciplinary issues and suspensions
Increased student engagement and sense of responsibility
Development of social-emotional skills like empathy and conflict resolution