Positive discipline in the world of education refers to the methodology focused on the development of social skills through positive education. Do you know the benefits of positive education in the classroom and at home? We tell you everything about this learning method and show you examples of positive discipline, with practical strategies and simple ways to apply positive education at home.
Positive discipline in education: a transformative approach
Positive discipline in education is an approach that focuses on fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment while promoting students’ social and emotional development. It emphasizes proactive strategies that encourage desirable behavior rather than punitive measures. Teachers using discipline build strong relationships with students, emphasizing communication and collaboration.
This approach involves setting clear expectations, providing consistent feedback, and reinforcing positive actions. Instead of relying on punishment, educators employ techniques like logical consequences, problem-solving discussions, and encouragement to guide students towards responsible behavior. By nurturing a sense of belonging and intrinsic motivation, positive discipline aims to create a conducive learning atmosphere that empowers students to make constructive choices.
Although it may seem that the concept of “positive education” is a very current concept, the truth is that it was Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychotherapist who, in the 20th century, began researching positive discipline as a way of educating. According to Adler, positive discipline is the right way to form interpersonal relationships based on communication, respect and empathy. And the most authoritarian methods based on control, punishment or rigidity are of little use (rather harmful).
Positive discipline in the classroom
When we talk about applying positive discipline in the classroom, we are referring to the way of teaching children to understand the consequences of their actions and to make responsible decisions, which in the long run translates into boys and girls who are more self-confident and confident. better social skills.
Teachers and educators studying to become a senior technician in Early Childhood Education today practice positive discipline in classes, creating a learning environment where self-regulation and conscious decision-making are encouraged. After all, the goal of positive education at school is for teachers to be able to guide students toward their own constructive solutions to any adversity or problem.
How to apply positive discipline at home
It is important to be clear that positive education begins from home. To do this, we must encourage:
- Open and empathetic communication. That children feel heard and understood by their elders will allow them to validate their feelings and later become empathetic and open-minded adults, with greater ease in social relationships.
- Establish routines and limits. This will give them security and teach them habits. Making a positive discipline routine chart can help children visualize their day and understand expectations.
- Appropriate behavior where you can see yourself reflected. Positive education begins at home, since parents or guardians are a role model for children. Showing a pleasant environment and respectful behavior between adults and towards them will allow them to model positively.
- Take responsibility for your actions. Making it understood that each act has its own consequence is part of positive education. It is important to apply logical consequences related to behavior that can then be fulfilled. In this way, children better understand the relationship between their actions and the resulting consequences.
Benefits of positive discipline in learning
There are many benefits of applying positive discipline in the classroom (and outside of it): learning to work as a team, communicating better, being a more empathetic person…Here we highlight the main ones:
Development of social skills:
Positive discipline helps children develop strong social skills, as they learn to communicate more effectively with their peers and know how to manage conflict situations in a more peaceful and communicative way.
Promotes autonomy:
Positive discipline helps you make decisions without fear of being reprimanded or corrected if you make a mistake. This makes them gain self-esteem and promotes their autonomy. They learn to evaluate the consequences of their actions and take responsibility for their actions.
Better learning environment:
Working on positive education at school allows us to generate a better environment in the classroom. On the one hand, the educator listens to and addresses the student’s needs and, on the other hand, students feel more safe and respected, without fear of feeling judged by their peers.
Practical Strategies for Implementing Positive Discipline
There are several strategies to apply positive discipline at home and in the classrooms. And although each adult can apply one method or another, in the end the principles of positive discipline are based on:
Maintain open and honest communication
Listen so that the student or child feels that they are important to us, that they feel valued and understood.
Define clear and realistic expectations
Being able to define clear goals and palpable objectives helps the student not to become frustrated by something unattainable. In this way, also, the student can understand what is expected of him and knows where the limit is between what separates good behavior from inappropriate behavior.
Reinforce positive behavior
Positive discipline is based on positive behavior as a reference point (and not on focusing on a child’s negative behavior). That is why it is very important, when we educate positively, to praise good actions; It is a way to encourage the student and encourage him to continue down that path.
Know how to resolve conflicts constructively
Without fear of making mistakes or being judged, a student who has a conflict has more tools to resolve it if he has been educated in the culture of positive discipline. Knowing how to express your feelings without fear of being judged, knowing how to listen to others without judging and being able to seek solutions agreed upon by both parties.
