What is Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline is the philosophical framework we use in working with students at Olympic View. Based on the research of Jane Nelson, the goal of Positive Discipline is to provide children with the social skills they need to be responsible and respectful members of their community. More than a program or curriculum, a Positive Discipline school creates an environment where students feel a sense of belonging, where adults understand the motivation behind a child’s behavior, and where “misbehavior” is viewed as an opportunity to learn.

What does Positive Discipline look like at Olympic View?

At Olympic View, students are taught three guiding principles for their behavior:

1. We take care of ourselves
2. We take care of each other
3. We take care of Olympic View

Our teachers help students understand what our guiding principles mean in the different contexts within which children find themselves - such as in the classroom, on the school bus, in the cafeteria, or on the playground. We reinforce these principles through the ongoing use of school and class meetings.

What happens in a class meeting?

Classroom meetings are an essential component of Positive Discipline. One of the goals of classroom meetings is to empower children to develop relationships based on mutual respect, and to understand how their behavior impacts those around them. By participating in classroom meetings, children learn important life skills such as listening, taking turns, taking responsibility, helping one another, and appreciating other points of view. In classroom meetings, children also practice critical thinking, problem solving, and democratic procedures.

The exact format of a class meeting can vary from classroom to classroom depending on the age of the children. In general, students sit in a circle for class meetings and begin with compliments. The agenda of a class meeting is determined by both the students and their teacher, and each classroom has a process for students to add items to the class meeting agenda. Class meetings can focus on any issues that impact the classroom community such as planning a class celebration or addressing a problem that impacts one or more members of the class.

Does this mean that there are no consequences for misbehavior?

The Positive Discipline focus on solutions rather than punishments and rejects the notion that to make children do better, we must first make them feel worse. While the vast majority of “misbehavior” is managed through the class meetings and opportunities for students to solve problems cooperatively, some children exhibit repeated dangerous, disruptive or hurtful behaviors. In these cases, there are several interventions we use such as including the family in problem solving, problem solving with a school administrator, providing intensive social skills support, appropriately allowing the student to experience the natural consequences of his or her behavior, and focusing on encouragement and building the student’s sense of connection to his or her school community. In the case of violent behavior, to ensure the safety of all of our students, a student will be removed from his or her classroom.

Where Can I Find Out More?

There is an excellent series of books for parents on Positive Discipline written by Jane Nelsen that are widely available at bookstores. You can also visit the Positive Discipline website at www.positivediscipline.com