Positive discipline - ideas wanted

[Alwaysworthchecking]

Hi. I work in a primary school, in a support role wthin the classroom. I love my job and am very happy there. However, I do find the methods of discipline used to be a bit of a grind. I do accept that this may be just my take on it but I often feel that the overriding feeling is one of negative discipline and I know there must be other ways to do the same job. I'm not in a position to change things but for my own peace of mind and so I know what's good and what's not, if you have any suggestions related to positive discipline, I'd love to hear them.

Currently the children where I work (Key Stage 1) miss part of their play time if things are not running well. Sometimes this is individuals or small groups, sometimes the whole class. At no time are all 30 children responsible for what led to the missing playtime. It is only 1-5 mins missed, depending on what led to that. Thing is, I don't think they are joining up the separate parts in their heads. They are cheesed off about having to miss a bit of play, but then they go out and I don't think it really sinks in that they have missed any. Having no firm concept of time yet, they don't really grasp the negative consequences and so the activity has to be repeated time and time again. Personally, I find that a bit defeating and depressing.

Don't get me wrong - I am not criticising the teacher's methods or decisions. She does a good job and she works hard and is very committed to the children in her class. I'm also not suggesting I know better- I don't. I am however interested in other methods - particularly ways of motivating individuals, small groups and whole classes to 'do the right thing' - rather than the punishment for not doing it being the first thing you turn to.

So what other systems do people have in place? Thanks!

Hi there, I'm a stay at home mum atm but primary teacher for 17yrs. I sympathise totally with you. Seen and tried all sorts of things.Here's my tried and tested way.. Kids need to agree a set of say 3 main rules (they can change weekly) eg: be kind, play together without being unkind in the playground. Agree them tog, maybe circle time? Discipline (unless serious!) based against these 3 focus aims. Have red and green circles on whiteboard so all can see. All names on cards stuck inside green circle. Move to red if 'breaks rule' . (child then has a chance to correct himself. Say sorry, be kind next playtime if last play was unkind etc). If corrects behaviour their name gets put back on green. If misbehaves again, move back onto red circle. May seem like a game but if you/teacher keeps a book of names for who was on red circle.... can see a pattern and maybe involve parent to discuss further. You could celebrate those who were never on the red circle all week. It has worked for me. Also, I often give the so called 'naughty' children jobs. They often need a bit of attention and want to feel special!!!Good luck with everything

You are in a tricky situation with this as you are not the teacher.

Here's a quick way you could switch what the teacher is already doing around:

If you spot a child/ a table doing the wrong thing kneel down next to him/ her/ them and ask 'do you want to get Ms(r) X to want to let you out on time?' (They will say yes- unless they are CU in which case you are a bit stuffed ;-). Say 'in that case you need to make Ms(r) X pleased with you by showing him this... draw on a whiteboard a stick child sat at a table.. an eye (for looking) an ear (for listening) a crossed through speech bubble (for not talking) or whatever else they need to do that they are not doing.

Then sit near him/ her/ them and tap the relevant symbol on the whiteboard when you need to remind them. They get appropriate attention, you don't have to talk over the teacher and you are reminding them what they should do.

Just a way you could spin the current system?

Behaviour can be grouped into those things that are expected and those things that can be rewarded. I think you are right that taking away at this stage, especially when the taking away something isn't immediate, doesn't really work. Personally I hate punishing the whole class for a few kids that are naughty. The problem with the play time thing is that they aren't actually missing playtime are they so they don't really notice. Agree with EBD teacher they need to be quickly and firmly told what they are doing that is not acceptable and then not given an inch to repeat it.

Language can be very effective too eg. you are normally so good at this/so well behaved - lets not spoil this.... etc

Well, I said they should be told firmly and quickly what they should be doing.

It's a bit like dogs- if you say 'Digger! Don't sit!' to a dog it only understands it's name and 'sit', so it sits. Tell them what to do, not what not to do.

Thanks everyone! Lots of ideas for me here. I like analysing our practise - keeps me on my toes. ;-) Funnily enough, today must have been a catalyst for others too as I now know the teacher is thinking of other ways round it too - and I kept my mouth shut. Isn't it good when that happens? (I meant when two people simultaneously arrive at the same idea, but me keeping my mouth shut is also a blessing.)

EBDTeacher, I love your idea of clearly telling and demonstrating what the desired behaviours are. Everyone wins!

I get a lot of practise!

You sound like a brilliant Support by the way

I think they will make the link. At any rate my ephumistically "lively" ds, who is a young reception certainly makes that link, and it does inspire him to behave better.
Not saying that it's a good punishment, but you may well be underestimating them.

The irritating thing with too many whole class punishment is that the child who really tries to behave and still gets punished on a regular basis may decide there wasn't much point. I don't think it will have this effect if it only happens once in a while, but if it's constant then it may.

I used to use 2 teddies. 1 for hard work and 1 for being organised and ready(major prob with this particular class). They loved them and I awarded them at the end of each day, those 2 children kept them on their desk for the next day.

Crucial bit, I had 2 lists on the board which I added names or ticks next existing names throughout the day, as did my TAs so we could spot who to give them to at the end of the day. I also used to ask children for nominations sometimes to help them recognise what positive behaviour was.

Worked a treat, I have used it from year 2 up to year 6!!

Love the teddies idea!

Well, today I struggled with some group work - we spent almost the whole (short) session practising sitting down on our backsides, which wasn't our learning objective but which did turn out to be critical. Anyway, I'm motivating them with a reward for achieving the learning objective, which I have explained to them. I pointed out that the longer we spent faffing about (not my actual words!), the less time we'd have to work towards our rewards. Did seem to have an effect, that. Afterwards I asked the teacher for advice and the advice was, 'Keep them in at play time,' so I'm starting to feel like a one-trick pony.

EBD, I do my best. :o