-
What Are We Learning?
Submitted by Adrian Garsia Teacher, parent, Positive Discipline Trainer For a long time I have wondered why Positive Discipline is more successful in some classrooms than others, why do some teachers and schools embrace it and others reject it. Why do systems based on rewards (and punishment) thrive? Why do I embrace Positive Discipline and […]
-
From Unknown to Expected: Relief
Not knowing what will happen next is stressful. In our families, many times parents/caregivers have a sense of what will be happening next but the children don’t. For children, the fear of the unknown can include everything from a new food, who will or won’t be at the playground, to the divorce of parents. Children […]
-
Routines: Less Stress, More Time
Routines in your classroom are like the framework of your house. They hold it together while great things happen inside. Investing thought, time and energy into establishing routines creates a classroom that most often runs smoothly: frustration, interruptions and opportunities for misbehavior are minimized. Students feel safe and comfortable, and are more able to focus […]
-
Using “Time Out” to Practice Calming Down in the Classroom (or at Home)
Submitted by Stacy Lappin We often hear from educators that students need to be able to self-regulate in order to be successful in school. But what exactly does that mean? Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It’s what helps children focus their attention on learning when they might be distracted […]
-
Self Regulation Comes First
Contributed by Jody McVittie, MD. You can probably remember the last time you were talking to your child knowing that your child was not taking in everything you said. Sometimes we adults just say too much. Why? Probably because we care. We want to make sure our children are well-behaved, don’t hurt others and we […]
-
Making Space for Awareness
Ever have one of those evenings where you go to bed and wonder where the day went wrong? You know that the kids were not on their best behavior but also have the sinking feeling inside that you weren’t the exactly best role model either. It can be uncomfortable to admit that despite your best efforts you aren’t always the parent you want to be. Most of us have parenting moments like that – where the parent who can listen, or set clear limits, or be patient has disappeared some where and this other human being shows up to take…
-
Homework Tangles?
The school year is well underway and fall routines are settling in. What is the homework routine in your family? As a parenting coach and consultant to schools I often hear complaints about homework from both parents and from teachers. Each expects the other to take a little more responsibility for homework. Interesting isn’t it? Where is the student in all of this? What can we do to grow the student’s responsibility?
-
Sharing Work and Play
Quite a few of the families I consult with struggle with the notion of children doing some of the family work. Sometimes it is because it is just plain hard to get your child to set the table or load the dishwasher and we get tired of reminding. Sometimes it is because of a belief that it is the adult’s job to do all of the family work and to let the children play. I think it is better to share both work and play.
-
Teaching Kids About Money
It’s pretty hard to learn about money if you don’t have any. Consider using an allowance to teach your kids about financial responsibility. And if what you really want is to teach about money – do not tie that allowance to chores it will distract from the lessons of money.
-
Lighten Up for the New Year
My yoga instructor offered an interesting challenge for her class this month: Lighten up. It was not meant to be the typical New Year’s resolution to exercise more and lose a few pounds, but to look at my life with more levity. We’ve heard about how a positive outlook on life invites better health and happier relationships. But as adults, with all our busy-ness it’s easy to see the glass half empty: to notice the problem instead of the opportunity. It can become an unnoticed, established pattern for our lives. With the responsibility of parenting, it can feel hard to…
Sound Discipline is now BELONG Partners!
