Conscious Discipline
Our motto at East Hill is: The adult’s job is to keep the school safe and the student’s job is to help keep it safe. Conscious Discipline believes that as adults change their attitudes and behaviors, so will the children in their care.
Each child has different social and behavioral needs; we address these needs on an individual basis. When consequences are necessary, they are reasonable, related and respectful.
A great way to teach kids about the Coronavirus (PDF)
Discipline “To Do’s”
Tell children what to do
Give children usable information, especially when you are upset
Principle
What we focus on, we get more of. Focus on the action we want.
When we are upset, we always focus on what we don’t want (what went wrong).
Old Model (What we used to say…)
“Don’t push your brother”
“You know better than to push your brother.”
“Stop it.”
“Why isn’t this homework done?”
“Why haven’t you finished this?”
New Model (Using conscious discipline, we say…)
“When you want your brother to move, say, ‘Move please.’” Then ask your child to practice saying, “Move Please.”
“You can start with your math homework or reading homework, which is best for you?”
Goals of the program
The new program focuses on helping students develop seven essential skills to deal with conflict. They are:
composure
empathy
integrity
assertiveness
responsibility
the ability to make good choices
the ability to see the best in others
The program encourages teachers, staff, students and parents to embrace the idea of the “school family,” which is based on safety, connection and problem-solving.
Each member of the school family needs the proper skills to successfully manage life’s tasks such as learning, forming healthy relationships, communicating, being sensitive to others’ needs and getting along with others.
Some questions you might have regarding Conscious Discipline and the school family…
Why is this being done at East Hill?
To create a sense of family/community by providing a place where each child feels safe and welcome.
How will you accomplish this with the students?
By working with students to build on their seven basic social skills: anger management, helpfulness, assertiveness, impulse control, cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving. We will accomplish this through communicating effectively through times of conflict, and by taking responsibility for our actions.
How will you accomplish this with the teachers?
Through intense training with certified trainers from the Conscious Discipline school.
What makes this program so different?
Rather than use a traditional system that focuses on negative behavior by providing only punishment or negative levels of color-coded good or bad, situations here at East Hill involving discipline are used as teachable moments.
So are there consequences?
Yes…we recognize that every child has different social and behavioral needs and each of these needs will be met on a more individual basis. We view mistakes as opportunities to teach and therefore learn a new skill that is missing.