Discipline or Logical Consequences

One of the issues I find to be a little controversial is childrearing/discipline.  This topic can be seen in so many different ways and ones views are based on things such as upbringing, parenting and education.  There are many of us that were raised with corporal punishment as a norm.  Those of us who were submitted to harsh discipline either believe in it, (spare the rod, spoil the child syndrome) or feel the opposite and would never subject our children to a harsh punishment.  Once one starts parenting, sometimes they may have a change in their mindset one way or the other.  Then there are those of us in the education field who want to believe and practice what we preach under the idea of what is best for the child. 

Hitting children unable to defend themselves teaches them it is okay for bigger people to hit on them and does little for their self-esteem. 

Last week while speaking with a group of early childhood teachers we discussed appropriate discipline in the classroom as opposed to guidance.  There was a lot of discussion about being appropriate with the children, not threatening them and using logical consequences.  It can be a very hard job for teachers who don’t fully believe that respecting the children and talking with them will work when it comes to guiding them to the right choices.  Not only is it hard to apply, they must also encourage it with their grandparent volunteers to practice while interacting with the children.  Also, they must educate their parents and actively let them know they are mandated reporters and there can be better ways of handling situations than harsh discipline.

So, I wonder which type of adult disciplinarian you are.  Do you believe in punishment, logical consequences, discipline or spankings?  Do you totally think harsh discipline is the worse act to guide a child?  Does your thinking flip-flop depending on who you are dealing with?  Some educators may know all the right things to say, do and teach in an educational setting but do not practice what they preach at home.

I know my work is not over with the center I am working with but I now know they are having second thoughts when it comes to classroom discipline.

About Tracy Lewis

As long as I can remember I have been interested in working with children.  During grade school, I volunteered to spend my lunch periods in the special needs classroom to help out.  When I attended church I helped out in the nursery.  So once I hit college it was refreshing to learn that I would now be able to go to school to learn more about working with children. 

It has been an experience-filled journey to get to where I am today.  All of my experiences weren't wonderful but they all helped me learn what I know today.  One of which is nothing works the way the books say they will, application is whole different animal. When working with children, families and staff you are working with people and this means unpredictability because they are capable of a wide range of reactions to daily plans. 

As a scholar-practioner, as I am able to assist others, provide support and help people find resources in regards to the children they are working with I am constantly learning.  I have to stay up to date on new research and findings so I am able to impart the newest knowledge I am aware of to those I work with.  I want to be thought of as a resource to those I work with.  I find it so rewarding to be able to offer the teacher or director who is becoming burned out a solution to a problem.  I love to see the changes take place in the classroom and with the children as they apply new techniques in the classroom.  I love to help them make their supervision stronger and safer for children. 

One of my overall concerns is that all early childhood professionals are not getting enough support and do not have equal opportunities in education and trainings.  This is very critical when it comes to them recognizing typical development in children and planning for it.  Many early childhood educators are reactionary because they don't have the support to use developmentally appropriate approaches.

In the future, I plan to complete my current degree and continue to be a great resource for those I work with.  I would like to begin educating at the college level so I can share the knowledge I am acquiring with others.

Family is very important to me and has always been.  I have a very close-knit family and we do many activities together.  I believe it is important to expose children to as many experiences as possible for them to learn.  This hands-on experience is one of the best methods for learning.  Play has been a big part of my life as I grew up as well as now providing those experiences for my own children.  My own parents gave us many experiences through travel and allowing us to explore our surroundings.  These are valuable experiences I wouldn't have learned in a classroom or through a book.  This is the type of learning I am trying to share with those I work with so they will offer authentic learning to children.

http://tlewisblogdoc.blogspot.com/2013/03/about-tracy-lewis.html