Discipline Techniques

Consider connecting with students before "disciplining".
Time outs and loss of recess do not teach a positive replacement behavior. Instead, it shuts down higher cognitive thinking and creates an emotional response from the child that will not benefit them.

Students need to feel safe and loved before they are willing to respect and follow directions.

Replacement behaviors: If a child makes a poor choice, get on their level and identify what the problem is. For example, "I see you are feeling angry, what can you do next time instead of pushing?"

-Take a deep breath (see visual below)

-Walk away

-Find a teacher or friend to help figure out a better solution

Help the child find their voice. Model: "I don't like it when you pushed me off the swing. Please next time ask me to move". Have them use the same language moving forward in their conflicts.

Use simple language they can understand: "You may do (positive option A) or (positive option B), but you may not (behavior you want replaced).

Tattling: ask the child "Are you telling me to be helpful or to be hurtful?"

Helpful=someone is hurt or there is a big problem that needs addressed

Hurtful=student is trying to get another student into trouble for something that can be managed by peers

Many of these are Conscious Discipline Strategies. More information can be found on their website. Feel free to reach out to Kacey Vest (RES kindergarten teacher) for more information or strategies that align to these.