The Twelve Commandments of Discipline

[CAMPFRIEND]

Thou Shalt:
Foresee problem areas and seek to deal with them before conflict develops.

Understand that a positive action elicits desirable behavior sooner than a negative reaction.

Use praise more then blame; encouragement rather than nagging.

Avoid arbitrary rules.

Strive for fairness.

Be consistent but not inflexible.

Avoid ridicule and sarcasm.

Never threaten a child.

Not humiliate a child in front of other peers.

Delay severe punishment until you are calm and controlled.

Listen to explanations before making final conclusions.

Explain your decisions.

Remember:

The word discipline comes from the Latin word disciple – a pupil, to instruct, educate, train.

True discipline includes nurturance and restriction – two necessary elements of growth.

The child that does not know boundaries for behavior feels insecure.

Punishment is only a temporary deterrent not a permanent solution.

[Dave]

Nice "commandments" campfriend. :P Thanks for sharing. I liked the part about the Latin word for discipline. I thought that was interesting.

[phcamp]

Like many camps, we have an Outdoor Education program during the school year. While the techniques are a little different because of the educational goals, most of it translates well. here's some tips we pass on to our staff:

CLASS DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES

There are usually not too many discipline problems because the kids are in a new environment, they're excited to be here, and they're too busy having fun and learning. It isn’t too difficult to keep them that way—here’s how:

1. Make sure that from the beginning you make the students aware of what you expect from them. Tell them why you expect what you do, especially where safety is involved.

2. It is best to start with rigid rules and get more flexible as the class progresses. If you start out easy-going and then suddenly try to be hard the students won’t believe you’re serious. If they understand from the beginning that you mean what you say, then you, and they, will have a better experience.

3. Many times inappropriate behavior comes from excitement. Don’t try to quell the excitement (you can’t), but rather use it! Redirect it into a learning activity. If you don’t redirect, such behavior often infects the rest of the group (especially on night hikes.)

4. Let the kids know that even though you are the teacher, you respect them, and that they need to respect you and the others in the group.

5. A good plan to follow with discipline is to:
a) Look at the student, let them know you see what they are up to;
b) If that doesn't work, go and stand near them, or have them stand near you;
c) If that doesn't work, a hand on the shoulder or elbow, (a safe body area);
d) Give a firm warning, and make certain all warnings are enacted;
e) Finally, have them sit in a “time-out”, and not participate for a few minutes;
f) If they continue to be a disruption, bring or send them back to the director.

6. Do not let a child in time-out get out of sight of the class! Let them see what cool stuff and what fun they are missing. Remember to bring them back after their time is up. They need to know why they were in time-out, and what behavior you expect from them.

7. Do not feel bad if you have to bring or send a student or students back to the director. This is not defeat. Sometimes that is the only answer when the child will not cooperate. Do not feel sorry for that child for bringing them back, sometimes it is a necessity.

8. You are the teacher, not their older brother or sister or best buddy. Don't let them walk all over you; it's your class and you are in charge. Be the captain of your ship. But also, don't feel bad if you need assistance-- everyone does sometimes!

9. Visiting teachers and parents might help with discipline, but they are usually waiting for you to be the lead on that. Touch base with them at some point about how they want to participate.

TEACHING TECHNIQUES

1. Let the students know what to expect, in terms of class goals and expected behavior. Ask them what they think the expectations should be. Be clear with your expectations.

2. Try to get to know them briefly. Introduce yourself, and let them do the same. Perhaps play a name game. Knowing names will really connect you with the kids.

3. Have a definite introduction to the lesson. Let the children in on what they’ll be doing and what they might get out of it. This will help keep them focused.

4. Try to understand the learning level of the students. You have to gauge the speed and depth of your class accordingly. Younger students won't get all the concepts that older students might.

5. Activity oriented
 Keep it simple, make it fun.
 Outdoor education is active and hands-on. Limit your lecture time and go do stuff.
 Activity does not mean just games or lessons, it can also mean exploring, if that's what the class calls for.

6. Have a list of activities you would like to do. In fact, have too many. If you get to them all, great, but if you don't, hey, you had a good time doing the ones you did.

7. Cooperation
 All of the classes involve cooperation. Even if it's not the main focus of the class.
 Everyone in the group is important, make sure the group knows that. Try not to allow one student to dominate. Actively include everyone, even the shy ones.

8. Challenging
 Try to stretch their minds; ask them questions, and challenge them.
 Don't answer all of your own questions, but if they don't know, answer it and move on.
 Don't tell them anything they can tell you.

9. Have a definite conclusion (Wrap up). Review what you have covered in the class. This is really not a time to cover new information. The kids have covered a lot, and it is time to let them tell you what they have learned. Ask them.

10. Do not push your own personal philosophies on the students. That’s not teaching, it’s preaching. Give them the tools they need to decide on their own.

11. Do not be afraid to say you don't know. No one knows everything. Say you don't know, but you will try to find out. Then find out and follow up!

12. Rediscover everything with them. It may be your hundredth time seeing it, but it's their first. If you’re excited with each lesson, you’ll never burn out.

[Smudge]

I am a big fan of positive discipline and guided discovery - that is praising the positive and helping campers to work out what they did wrong for themselves.

For example I had a situation night a brownies with a girl who is very hyper (which is really frustrating cos while I know that she behaives in school - I have worked in her clase - I can also see that she isn't happy) and telling her off doesn't work. Anyway she accidently kicked another girl - she actually seemed upset too cos she hadn't meant it and the other girl was upset. so once she had appologised and I had calmed the other girl down, instead of telling her not to do that again (which wouldn't have worked) I asked her what she had learnt from the incident. By getting her figure it out for herself she is more likely to remember the lesson.

I know it isn't 12 but it the "Golden Rule" that I go by when I am with kids - my campers, school or brownies.

[horizonsguide]

I think this is a very resourceful article. I especially like number 12 in the teaching section. It is a very skill in childcare--the ability to "rediscover"!