Disciplining children

Three Tips on How to Bridge Discipline from School to Home

Have you noticed that children sometimes behave differently at school than at home? The behavioral change is because the ‘school to home experience’ differs. Every household has a different way of raising its children, which is often the opposite of the school discipline plan.  When parents or caregivers are responsive towards children, they help their kids build analytical skills that support the development of more advanced communication.  Here are some tips that can help build classroom discipline and get your teacher’s pet to maintain the angelic behavior at home:   

Go easy on your kids – They pick up on what they see

As parents, we want our kids to pick up on good manners and steer away from rude behavior. But sometimes, we can overlook our own attitude towards them.  Adopting a friendly tone makes it easier for the child to understand what the parents expect of them. How you express corrective guidance makes all the difference in how a child receives it. As the old saying goes, “Monkey See, Monkey Do”. Children Discipline Whenever you have to confront your child, try to avoid blaming, criticizing, and fault-finding. These actions can often result in lower self-esteem and can lead to disagreements.  Instead, take the time to explain decisions to your child calmly and maturely.  Remember, children’s behavior is modeled on their parents. They pick up on what they see, so make sure to always be on your best behavior with them. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it – not just when you speak to them but also when dealing with others.  

Establish House rules – Set limits and be consistent 

Children more easily understand the difference between right and wrong when they know the consequences of their actions. Like in school, children understand that if they don’t behave well or push a friend, it will come with consequences such as time-out. Similarly, set rules and standards at home so your children can learn accountability for their actions.  But rather than being stern or strict about it, try to gamify the rules. For example, if you have trouble getting your kids to help with chores around the house, give them points for every time they help you with a task. When they accrue a certain number of points, surprise them with a gift.  Whenever possible, offer your kids a chance to choose between different chores. Much like in school projects where kids are asked to choose a partner or topic for an assignment, the freedom of choice helps kids develop their decision making skills and gives them a sense of control.  Children helping parents

Let children fail  

Mistakes are essential for success! They challenge you to do things differently. Therefore, failure is an essential part of adolescent development. Be it homework, developing friendships, or playing a sport, nothing polishes a child’s learning better than a mistake made. The parent’s job is to teach children how to get back on their feet and solve their problems. Working as a team will make it easier for your child to become more confident and independent in their decision making. When taught how to solve problems, children don’t get frustrated when faced with a challenge; they think creatively to find a solution. Children learning with parents   At MSOTD, we teach children to be inspired by their excellent work rather than rewards. This approach helps create a love for learning. The very same technique can be applicable at home. 

AUTHOR: Montessori School of Downtown

It all began over 30 years ago with two newlyweds who were passionate about education. Together, Ms. Rita, a renowned professional educator, and Mr. Hersh, a natural teacher and entrepreneur, created a child care education program that focused on the concept of self-inspired learning.View all posts by Montessori School of Downtown |