I wrote a very long Classroom Management plan when I was a university student and had virtually no classroom management experience. It involved many methods I experienced as a child, and included reward and punitive systems. Since I've started teaching, I've thrown it all out the window in favor of Positive Discipline, which I view as an approach that respectfully enforces natural boundaries, enlivens a child's natural moral compass, teaches students to focus on solutions, and builds positive relationships for the whole classroom.
At it's core, Positive Discipline focuses on respecting children. I believe that by giving a child clear boundaries, the power to remove themselves, practice with concequences, and the words to solve their own problems, the classroom begins to run itself. I feel it is an incredibly powerful tool to use alongside Montessori Education, because it teaches the children how to manage themselves and their peers! That said... I love learning new methods and growing my knowledge!Scenario 1: Oh no, my Cookies! (2015)Olivia (4) was in the sandbox making cookies. Two boys (3) came over and pushed her cookies off the table. She was very upset.
Olivia, with my support, told the boys, "I didn't like when you pushed my cookies." With support, the boys responded, "I won't push your cookies." Knowing these boys, their problem solving skills and intellects, I continued the discussion while Olivia went back to playing. We briefly discussed kind and un-kind actions, and the boys decided that pushing cookies off the table was an unkind thing to do. When I asked what we should do next, both boys offered to help Olivia make more cookies. They went up themselves and offered to help her. She showed them her technique and all of the students had fun baking together! |
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