Guidance & Discipline Policy

Discipline involves a continuous process of guiding behaviour and is offered while acceptable behaviour is occurring, as well as before, during, and after unacceptable behaviour is displayed. The goal is to assist childen in developing self-control, self-confidence, and ultimately, self-discipline and sensitivity in their interactions with others. We consider the unique development of each child’s needs and abilities, and work to establish an environment that will facilitate this and other learning processes.

Prevention:
  • Establishing simple, clear and consistent limits
  • Offering straightforward explanations for limits
  • Stating limits in a positive way
  • Focusing on the behaviour rather than the child
  • Stating what is expected rather than posing questions
  • Allowing time for the child to respond to expectations
  • Reinforcing appropriate behaviour
  • Ignoring minor incidents
  • Being aware of what is happening and forestalling troubles
Intervention: 
  • Gaining child’s attention in a respectable way
  • Using proximity and touch
  • Reminding
  • Acknowledging feelings
  • Distracting and diverting behaviour when appropriate
  • Modeling problem-solving skills
  • Offering appropriate choices
  • Using natural and logical consequences
  • Redirecting
  • Limiting the use of equipment when necessary
  • Providing opportunities for children to make amends
  • “Removal” from a difficult situation (“Take a break”, “Rest your body”)

Rather than using “Time-Out’s”, we feel that “removal” from a stressful situation is a more appropriate way to teach children how to self-regulate and address difficult issues calmly. We encourage a child to take a few minutes alone to calm down, regain control of his/her body and think about what the issue is. Then we work with the child to come back and address his/her concerns, and assist him/her in appropriately resolving the conflict at hand. Depending on the age and/or developmental level of the child, and the severity of the conflict, the removal could be anywhere from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.