Early Childhood Center Discipline

CHILD DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES

St. Mary of the Hills has developed a school-wide policy regarding discipline, which is contained in the school Handbook. The rules are the same for ALL students (Pre-K to Grade 8). However, because of their age and ability to understand actions and consequences, the consequences for four and five year olds (children are not given discipline slips or detentions) are appropriately modified for an Early Childhood setting.

Discipline and guidance, then, shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the child’s individual needs and development. The goal of our guidelines is to maximize the development of freedom within limits which allows for the mutual respect and growth of each child within the group setting.

We believe that by maintaining constructive discipline with the objective of positive reinforcement, children will learn respect for each other and for their environment while developing a long-lasting value of self-discipline. Therefore, we will consistently:

  • Consider the child’s age, emotional make-up and past experience with discipline
  • Discuss with the children simple, concise classroom rules that are understood and accepted by all
  • Foster a high level of self-esteem in each child, bearing in mind that a child’s acceptance of discipline is largely dependent upon his/her feeling that s/he is liked and accepted
  • Model appropriate behaviors
  • Use patience, respect and understanding in dealing with all children
  • Discuss the inappropriate behavior with the child in a calm atmosphere, using a gentle but firm voice. If a behavior becomes disruptive or harmful to other children, the child’s parent will be contacted.
  • Encourage children to problem solve, assisting them when necessary with words or solutions which are age-appropriate.
  • Separate a child (or allow a child to separate him/herself) from a situation until s/he is under control from within. The separation most often takes the form of directing/allowing a child to place him/herself in another area of the classroom or playground.