Dealing with Discipline: classroom and ministry ideas and tips

 

 

Discipline is a sensitive topic.  Everyone has their own ideas and procedures. ” How do you deal with kids when they are being disruptive?” is a question I have been asked a lot.  Some of you know that often what I write can apply to many different situations, and I often relate it to  ministry.  From 5 years experience in a classroom setting and quite a few years in a ministry setting, here are a few things we do:

 

1. The Look–  it is amazing how effective it can be just by giving ‘the look’.  Most of the time kids know that their behavior is not acceptable, and simply catching their eye is enough to let them know that you see what they are doing.  Knowing they ‘got caught’ will often cause them to stop.  Mothers are especially good at giving this look. (now that I think about it, so are wives, but that is another topic for another day)  And I am sure that you can all remember receiving the look at some point in your life.

Yelling at Kids

Respect. It is something that we as people deserve. It is something that is not often given to a child though. How do you feel when you are not respected? It is not a good feeling. Now process that feeling through the perspective of a child.

I have been substitute teaching the last few months. I come home day after day with the same surprised reaction. I have been told multiple times, in multiple grades, in multiple schools that I am a nice teacher. That may not surprise you, because I am a pretty nice guy. The reason they tell me that is what surprises me though. “You are a nice teacher because you don’t yell at us.” One boy said I was nice because I didn’t even raise my voice when talking to him.

2, 4, 6, 8 How do you appreciate?

Philippians 1:3-5    I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now

I cannot think of anyone who doesn’t like to be appreciated.  I know I like it when do a good job.  It adds value to what I do.  It makes me want to do it again.  It doesn’t matter what we are talking about, the more you feel appreciated, the more you will want to do whatever you are doing.