Early Childhood News - Positive Discipline on the Playground

Positive Discipline is used consistently at Abintra, and can especially be seen in action on the playground. Guides closely monitor playground interactions, are aware of peer dynamics, and respond to each concern with Positive Discipline.

How does this work? When a child approaches the guides with a report about an interaction with another child, or the guides see behaviors that need to be addressed, the children involved sit and have a conversation.

Each child has a turn to say, “I feel ________ (happy, sad, mad, scared, etc.) when my friend _________. I need ________.”

After everyone has had a turn to speak, the guide restates what was said. For example: “I heard that Child 1 felt sad because Child 2 hit him. He needed a hug. I heard that Child 2 felt scared because Child 1 was running too close and bumped into him. He needed Child 1 to look where he is going.”

By using Positive Discipline as a tool to help children and adults communicate, students can leave a discussion feeling heard, respected, and part of a caring community. To learn more about Positive Discipline, sign up for a Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop at Abintra! We have two workshop offerings in March. Register here.