De-escalation & Discipline

We strive to use positive guidance through areas of challenge and conflict. We let children work it out on their own as much as possible but will intervene if needed. If a child needs to be removed from a situation they will shadow or sit with the teacher. The teacher will engage the child in discussion on how they might have acted or reacted differently. Children naturally wish to get along with others. If a child is exceptionally disruptive we will direct his/her energy to productive work. By working closely with this child he/she will have the opportunity to practice directing his/her will in a positive way. Situations of conflict are great opportunities for learning and can have a very strong impact on the development of the child depending on how we handle them together.

If a situation arises in which participants are behaving in a way that threatens the safety of the group, the Forest School leader will ensure that the following steps are taken:

1. Recount the facts of the incident as observed, in simple language and without judgment, and if possible mutually agree on these. Remind the participants involved of any guidelines they have not followed.

2. Listen to the involved party or parties, if necessary gently separate them from the group for this. Ask about how they feel about the incident, empathize with them to help them to express themselves and take responsibility for their feelings. Ask them to imagine how they think their behavior has affected everyone else.

3. Talk with them to establish what their needs in the situation were and to understand how they were not being met. Discuss what their needs might be now and encourage them to consider the needs of everyone else present.

4. Help them to express any requests they might have clearly and in positive language. These can be requests of themselves, others, situations or of the environment.