Tips for Teachers
Most discipline problems can be averted when we treat children as individuals, plan well, and teach according to their abilities. However, occasionally there will be discipline difficulties. Some suggestions for effective discipline are listed.

• First, get in touch with what "pushes your buttons." We all have limited tolerance for particular situations and actions. Think about what makes you angry. Why does it make you angry? Is this something worth your being upset? Does it warrant correcting the child? Discuss with another teacher in your area what “pushes your buttons” so he or she can help out in these situations.

• Set limits with children in a clear and precise manner. Let them know what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Realize that some children will test these limits. Be firm.

• Be consistent! If a behavior is not acceptable today, then it should not be acceptable tomorrow. Inconsistent discipline only confuses a child and leads to further difficulties. Fairness, positive learning, and safety are of paramount concern.

• Do not make discipline a public announcement. Approach a child who is misbehaving and quietly, with confidence, confront the child. Embarrassing a child in front of his or her peers may lead to more discipline problems, or a "shut-out" child who is not learning.

• Talk with the child when disciplining; do not simply talk to the child. There are many appropriate times when we need to listen to the child’s point of view.

• Realize that children misbehave when they are bored, desire attention, or are seeking revenge. One helpful approach is to re-focus a child's attention when you see misbehavior about to happen. Engage a child in something he or she enjoys doing, then gently guide the child to a more appropriate behavior. Sometimes simply placing a hand on the child’s shoulder or saying the child’s name as you are talking--as if you are talking directly to him or her--will enable the child to re-focus upon the immediate activity.

• Start each job site and each day with a clean slate for every child. We all have our better days--let today be a new day for you and the child.

• Finally, realize that when you are enjoying yourself as a teacher and loving each child individually, then children are more likely to enjoy themselves, too. When activities are planned and you are ready for children to enter the room and engage in activities, there will be less time for misdirected behavior. Plan, be prepared, and enjoy--children will, too!

Back to the top