| MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Katy C. Merrell, MEd. |
| November 2007 Positive Discipline Workshop Overview |
I hope you had a chance to be with and enjoy your
family this Thanksgiving. My husband and I are so
thankful for the ever more precious time we spend
with our three children as they get older.
As I said at the beginning of the Parent Workshop
that NCS sponsored recently, being a parent is both
amazing and humbling. We learn so much about
ourselves as we face the struggles and share the joyful
times with our children.
Now that parents are visiting in all the classrooms on a
regular basis you will undoubtedly get a chance to see
some of the techniques discussed in the workshop
played out in the classroom. From time to time parents
will share how much they have learned from watching
the teachers interact with the children and handle
difficult situations. As a parent strong emotional
bonds make it harder to follow through with the
positive approaches to “discipline”, but all the more
important considering the immeasurable influence you
have on your children.
In the Positive Discipline workshop our facilitator
reminded parents that the word discipline is derived
from Latin, and means “to teach”. Despite the all too
often negative connotations, discipline does not require
a strategy that is emotionally wrenching for the child
(or the adult). The idea is to be proactive, rather than
reactive, and to always keep in mind this question,
family this Thanksgiving. My husband and I are so
thankful for the ever more precious time we spend
with our three children as they get older.
As I said at the beginning of the Parent Workshop
that NCS sponsored recently, being a parent is both
amazing and humbling. We learn so much about
ourselves as we face the struggles and share the joyful
times with our children.
Now that parents are visiting in all the classrooms on a
regular basis you will undoubtedly get a chance to see
some of the techniques discussed in the workshop
played out in the classroom. From time to time parents
will share how much they have learned from watching
the teachers interact with the children and handle
difficult situations. As a parent strong emotional
bonds make it harder to follow through with the
positive approaches to “discipline”, but all the more
important considering the immeasurable influence you
have on your children.
In the Positive Discipline workshop our facilitator
reminded parents that the word discipline is derived
from Latin, and means “to teach”. Despite the all too
often negative connotations, discipline does not require
a strategy that is emotionally wrenching for the child
(or the adult). The idea is to be proactive, rather than
reactive, and to always keep in mind this question,
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| “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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NORFOLK CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, 23 Union St., Norfolk, MA 02056 508-528-1970
Copyright 2007 Norfolk Children's School
Website Design by Karma Communications
Website Design by Karma Communications
TOOLS to learn a better way to get what they want, solve conflicts, take turns, share, etc. As
adults our job is to give them these tools. To do this we must; set up the environment to promote
as much positive interaction as possible, be clear about the “house” rules and limits, phrase
those rules in a positive way (instead of no running, try - please use your walking feet) model
respect and problem solving, choose our battles and ignore the little things, redirect children
before things get to a fever pitch, acknowledge feelings (without allowing inappropriate
behavior), and finally TEACH them the words and strategies that will replace the grabbing,
hitting, yelling, and generally negative behaviors. They can’t do things differently until we give
them different tools to use…and then they need lots of opportunities to practice, lots of
reminders, and lots of positive feedback when they get it right!!
This is what teachers do all day long every day in every classroom at NCS. It is a critical part
of our curriculum and the foundation for teaching children to be emotionally healthy and
socially proficient. Please know that we are always open to helping with parenting concerns and
we have several excellent (parent friendly) books in the office that address these positive
discipline techniques. You are welcome to borrow them at any time! As always THANKS for
sharing your children with us!
adults our job is to give them these tools. To do this we must; set up the environment to promote
as much positive interaction as possible, be clear about the “house” rules and limits, phrase
those rules in a positive way (instead of no running, try - please use your walking feet) model
respect and problem solving, choose our battles and ignore the little things, redirect children
before things get to a fever pitch, acknowledge feelings (without allowing inappropriate
behavior), and finally TEACH them the words and strategies that will replace the grabbing,
hitting, yelling, and generally negative behaviors. They can’t do things differently until we give
them different tools to use…and then they need lots of opportunities to practice, lots of
reminders, and lots of positive feedback when they get it right!!
This is what teachers do all day long every day in every classroom at NCS. It is a critical part
of our curriculum and the foundation for teaching children to be emotionally healthy and
socially proficient. Please know that we are always open to helping with parenting concerns and
we have several excellent (parent friendly) books in the office that address these positive
discipline techniques. You are welcome to borrow them at any time! As always THANKS for
sharing your children with us!