Discipline helps to train the mind and character of a person, building a sense of self control. Discipline is, training a person to obey rules.
Not everyone sees a benefit in discipline and having thousands of rules guiding students in a school. Some even think it should be totally removed from schools.
And you can actually find that discipline has been given a back seat in homes and schools alike in recent times.
The question is, what moral and ethical values does discipline impact on a school child? what is the best form of discipline that equals whatever offence?
The truth is, no student want to be disciplined, nobody likes many rules.
I hate too much rules as well. It makes me feel like I am living in a military zone 😂😂.
And I bet many parents don’t want their child to be disciplined either, at least not in today’s world. This has put schools in a difficult position, thinking of what best ways to curb student’ excesses.
As a teacher, I have often wonder what best corrective measures to adopt in class.
While studying for my education degree, I was taught a different discipline style but it is called “class management”. It’s almost as though “discipline” is not a word to be spoken to avoid being misinterpreted as too uptight as a school.
I asked my lecturer at the time what best way to discipline a student that has committed an offence and he turns the question into a research assignment for everyone. And I just concluded it’s every teacher that finds the style that suits their class, depending on the age and background of the students in your class.
So you use a word of correction for a child who has offended on three different occasions, who by the way is disrupting class. Or you have a child who would refer to the back of a textbook to supply answers for a class work, what discipline is best for such student?
Setting The Rules
>. As a class teacher, you have to set the rules from the first day you enter a class. Its nice to set the rules together with the students and reach an agreed upon penalty for any rules broken
>. Make an update of the rules every new term, changing the ones that didn’t work, depending on the changes you see in your class
>. Always refer to the rules as a form of reminder and send copies home for parents to be aware and also remind their children of what’s to be expected when they intentionally break school rules
>.Implement the rules. At this point, students are already aware in their subconscious of what’s coming if they mess up in class.
The 1990’s was the period I was in elementary school. Then laws weren’t so strict on what punishment style you use on a kid. So, all sorts of discipline was used at the time. Of course, the biggest of all then, was for the school authorities to send for your parents, and you just knew you were in big trouble. Or being suspended for two weeks.
Next to that was to be apportioned a part of the school field to cut the grass, weed the school farm, clean your class and polish the furnitures for one week.
Most of the times, a student will serve their punishment during break period- the fun time in school.
Seeing your friends having fun outdoors while you work can pretty much change a child who is disruptive in class. Everyone dreaded such punishment and never wanted to be found wanting.
In today’s schooling system all that has given way for counselling. A student is sent to the school counsellor when it’s noted that they are beyond control. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t, depending on the child and the factors playing out.
For some student they just enjoy the prank of breaking rules and trying to show they are the boss around. for some, its a way of getting attention.
What should you do
As a teacher, you can actually help that student channel their excess energy used to disrupt the class for a better use. Get them busy working with you.
<. Ask them the most question during lesson
<. If they are fast learners, get them to assist those who are slow-paced in class
<. Get them busy with things like cutting and pasting class decoration, make it fun though
.Keep them busy by assigning tasks like helping to share classmates book with them.
Discipline and good class management can impact a child’s behavior positively even outside school. It can instill positive moral and ethical values in a child, teach them to compose themselves in public and to respect others.
Disciplinary measures that are in line with the states law can be beneficial if teachers know and understand their students. Everything a teacher does to a learner should be out of love and to the child’s best interest.
A teacher is mandated to also discipline her/himself by not picking on any tiny mistake that a student makes. Know how to use humour in class. Being firm but not too hard on students.
If you know when to discipline, your student will compose themselves after understanding the rules of the class.
Education101today 