Let’s take a quiz in child discipline. A glass vase falls from your coffee table after your child knocks it over. How would you react to such a situation? Is it your instinct to rush in and help them? Put them on a time-out and reprimand them for their actions. If it doesn’t sound too far-fetched, perhaps you could just stand aside and let them deal with the mess. Yes, under supervision, of course, at every step, from getting the dustpan and a brush to cleaning up the pieces. It’s what we would do at Springdale Academy.

The Montessori Method at Springdale Academy ensures that children understand the consequences of their choices and strive to become self-motivated. Simply put, it is more effective to develop “Self-discipline” in a child as opposed to imposing it since children must be disciplined from within rather than from outside. To accomplish this, we provide an environment with minimal distractions and engaging materials that encourage concentration, which leads to self-discipline. There must be a balance between mastering one’s mind and body, following classroom rules, and not being told what to do and when to do it.

How Springdale handles Discipline in a child

Our teachers understand and respect that children can sometimes be disorderly, have short attention spans, or may be resistant to adults. There is no rush, no praise, and no criticism, yet the child is given the space and time to develop naturally. Despite mistakes, children are challenged to solve the underlying problem. If you want to discipline a child it is vital to support their inner directive in order to stimulate their personality.

We encourage independence in our classrooms by allowing children to make their own decisions. Eg. Deciding when to consume snacks, socialize with friends, work in the garden, or read quietly. The straightforward act of choosing their way contributes to the development of self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-satisfaction in our children. When a child disturbs their peers’ focus, teachers do occasionally step in. However, we accomplish this by enabling our students to respectfully address the issue and teaching them how to settle disputes amicably. Springdale Academy’s students don’t behave out of fear of consequences; they behave out of principle.

Patience is the key!

In this process, parents are equally influential. When it comes to discipline, a Montessori approach requires patience and a lot of repetition. The process is easier for our highly trained teachers, but it can be challenging for parents unfamiliar with it. Keeping calm and non-reactive if your child acts out is the most effective way to aid their newly acquired self-discipline at home. 

Do not get cross. Instead, focus on telling them calmly what appropriate behavior is and redirecting their attention to another activity afterward. As well as laying down clear boundaries and expectations, and using clear and respectful language, will make it easier for your child to understand what is acceptable and what is not. Furthermore, a culture of no rewards, no punishments, and no bribes must be followed in homes just like in schools, as it nurtures in your child a sense of morality and manages their expectations.

Through the Montessori method, teachers and parents work together to build the groundwork for positive behavior while encouraging kids to behave respectfully, kindly, and obediently. Establish firm boundaries that will safeguard their independence while acknowledging their feelings and assisting them in thinking through the potential repercussions of their actions. 

If you’re still skeptical, take a look inside one of our Montessori-certified classrooms at Springdale Academy to see for yourself how significant self-discipline is and how it enhances our students. 

Come see what we mean when we act on what we say.