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POSITIVE DISCIPLINE
an approach and a definition

What defines Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline describes a way to reduce undesirable behavior, and increase desirable behavior, by rewarding the positive rather than punishing the negative.

Positive Discipline describes an action that is introduced after a desirable behavior so that the behavior will be repeated in the future. Positive Discipline is based on the premise that behavior that is rewarded is behavior that will be repeated.

Negative Discipline describes a way to reduce undesirable behavior, and increase desirable behavior, by punishing the negative rather than rewarding the positive.

Negative Discipline describes an action that is introduced after an undesirable behavior so that the behavior will be not be repeated in the future. Negative Discipline is based on the premise that behavior that is punished is behavior that will be reduced.

The problem with most punishment is that it rarely changes behavior for the better. If it did, most of us would be saints.

Positive Discipline is a four-step process that recognizes and rewards appropriate behavior:

1. The appropriate behavior is described: "Good job raising your hand before asking your question."
2. Clear rationales are provided: "Raising your hand before asking a question shows respect for others. It is a good example of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you."
3. Acknowledgment is requested: "Do you see why raising your hand is so important?
4. The behavior is rewarded: eye contact; a smile; thumbs up; touch on the shoulder; having a success in front of the class (social recognition is the greatest reward). Rewards should always be immediate and small.

Positive Discipline is commonly sabotaged in three ways:

1. The child is not rewarded quickly enough.
2. The emphasis is put on tasks rather than behaviors.
3. The emphasis continues to be on what the child is doing incorrectly, rather than correctly.

Keep in mind a 4:1 ratio. Catch children doing something correctly four times for every time you find them doing something incorrectly.

The problem with nearly all discipline systems is that they focus on what is being done incorrectly, while ignoring behavior that is correct.

Consistency is the key. Effective Positive Discipline must be used in a four to one ratio. Children must be shown that you really are serious about catching them doing something correctly and rewarding them immediately.

A thorough discussion of Positive Discipline may be found at Positive Discipline/Teaching Strategies, all grades.

Also see articles on Effective Rewards and Effective Corrections, brainsarefun.com.

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