A relationship with a child is the most powerful classroom management tool that ever existed. When a child feels welcomed and wanted it triumphs any rules set in place. Greeting each child daily and becoming an extension of his or her family is the first step in classroom management. It’s imperative I am able to balance casual conversations with academic conversations with my students. Likewise a child’s family needs to feel appreciated and accepted. I realize there is nothing stronger than a family bond and fostering a supportive environment will enhance the dynamics of a relationship I have with a child.
My goal is to create an environment that is stimulating and safe for every child. This includes assisting children in making appropriate behavioral choices. Dr. Montessori believes that freedom and discipline are compliments to each other. Discipline is not a means of external control and rewards provided by the teacher, rather an internal choice made by the child. In Montessori we view discipline as self-control, self-discipline, responsible, self-initiative and independence. When a child is truly disciplined then he or she has the freedom to think, act, choose and reflect on his or her actions. This is where freedom lies. When a student is disciplined in their actions then a student has true freedom to make their own choices. When students cannot handle freedom it is telling their director or directress I do not have discipline. This does not mean I punish him or her or take-away, rather work together to instill order, concentration, coordination and independence in order to fulfill the need of discipline and freedom.
Helping students to set behavior goals allows students more control and ownership of their actions. Newsletters, notes, phone calls along with successful proven strategies for working with at-risk children using conflict resolution, peer-mediation, discipline and behavioral management techniques create for a well-balanced, positive environment. The foundation of management is procedures. Spending adequate time teaching, modeling and practicing procedures will contribute to the positive environment.
My goal is to create an environment that is stimulating and safe for every child. This includes assisting children in making appropriate behavioral choices. Dr. Montessori believes that freedom and discipline are compliments to each other. Discipline is not a means of external control and rewards provided by the teacher, rather an internal choice made by the child. In Montessori we view discipline as self-control, self-discipline, responsible, self-initiative and independence. When a child is truly disciplined then he or she has the freedom to think, act, choose and reflect on his or her actions. This is where freedom lies. When a student is disciplined in their actions then a student has true freedom to make their own choices. When students cannot handle freedom it is telling their director or directress I do not have discipline. This does not mean I punish him or her or take-away, rather work together to instill order, concentration, coordination and independence in order to fulfill the need of discipline and freedom.
Helping students to set behavior goals allows students more control and ownership of their actions. Newsletters, notes, phone calls along with successful proven strategies for working with at-risk children using conflict resolution, peer-mediation, discipline and behavioral management techniques create for a well-balanced, positive environment. The foundation of management is procedures. Spending adequate time teaching, modeling and practicing procedures will contribute to the positive environment.