Discipline is a topic, which is involved in all contexts of human life and is highly important to ensure a working society. Children learn discipline from their parents, from friends as well as at school. In the school context, it is very important that a child knows exactly what everybody expects, which different rules they have to follow and what consequences will come along when they break these rules.
We as a school need to ensure that our learners learn a certain discipline and behaviour structure and that the whole teaching and therapy team follows the known procedure. If everybody sticks to these rules, it helps the learner to be orientated and to improve their discipline. The teaching and therapy team has to be a role model to show the learner a specific behaviour, such as respect, trust or reliability. Especially for remedial learners, it is imperative that they experience the above-mentioned aspects in their home environment as well.
At Sparrow, we follow a specific discipline structure to help the child settle in the school context and learn in the best possible environment. Rules like no bullying, respect each other and each other’s things are basic rules. If a learner does not stick to these agreements there will be disciplinary consequences. It is important that we follow a certain routine and the consequences are followed through. Learners respond most successfully when they experience strict rules at home too.
To improve the disciplinary routine at home it might be helpful to introduce the following steps at home:
These aspects are just some ideas of how you as a parent can improve discipline at home. It might be successful for your child to combine some of these ideas. Play with them and find your way. After all, it is important to try and to be patient, it is definitely worth it.
Words by Judith Zacharias, German volunteer Social Worker at the Sparrow Foundation School.
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