Making Sense of Discipline
Sessions: 4
Lecture: 5h 30m
Certificate: 8+ hrs
100 CAD
The real question for concerned parents and teachers is not just about how to manage a child's behaviour but rather how to do so without causing harm to relationship, development and well-being. This course unfolds how to do just that, while at the same time not compromising the adult's responsibility to impose some order on behaviour when circumstances require. The guidelines and principles apply to children of all ages.
As is the case with all our courses, this course features lectures by Dr. Neufeld, carefully curated support for enriched study, study aides, the opportunity to ask questions of trained faculty or course facilitators, a year's access to the campus to enable study at one's own pace, and a certificate of attendance upon completion. For more information, consult the 'about our courses' page.
COURSE SUMMARY
Today's parents and teachers are rightfully concerned about the dignity and well-being of a child and so seeking an approach to discipline that is shame-free, attachment-wise, and developmentally-friendly. This course unfolds how to do just that while still being responsible as the adult-in-charge, teaching the lessons that need to be learned, priming adaptation when needed, and imposing order on behaviour when appropriate. This course is far more than a compendium of how-to's however; it introduces a philosophy of discipline that supports healthy development as well as providing a comprehensive map for finding one's way through this age-old challenge.
SUITABILITY/APPLICABILITY
This material is applicable to any venue involving children: home, school, playground, residential programs. As such, the material is suitable to parents of children of all ages as well as to teachers, principals, day-care providers, and early education providers.
SAMPLE TOPICS
- how developmental science applies to the arena of discipline
- the origins and problems with thinking about discipline as 'teaching a lesson'
- how to think critically regarding the current discipline practices
- the role of a child's attachment in rendering a child manageable
- the role of play in orchestrating behaviour both easily and naturally
- the importance of differentiating between actions derived from impulses and actions deriving from intentions
- when to use reasoning and when it interferes with adaptation
- special strategies for stuck kids who cannot benefit from normal discipline measures
- when consequences backfire and when feedback to behaviour is helpful
- when to avoid upset and when upset can be part of needed adaptation
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is structured into 4 sessions with each session including approximately an hour and 20 minutes of instructional video from Dr. Neufeld.
- Session One – Changing our thinking about disciplne
In this session, we put the topics of discipline and behaviour management into some historical perspective and reveal the flaws in approaches that ignore the role of attachment, instinct and emotion. In addition, we reveal the implications of thinking of discipline as 'teaching the child a lesson'. Fresh understandings of how the brain actually works helps to provide a foundation for an enlightened approach to managing a child's behaviour until they are capable of managing their own. - Session Two – The six traits of the well-behaved
Every single child has the potential to be well-behaved quite spontaneously and from the inside out. The realization of this potential depends upon the development of six natural traits, none of which are genetic or learned. What these traits are and how they are developed, is the topic of this session. This session also helps to explain why some children have much more trouble behaving than other children. - Session Three – The twelve practices of safe discipline
In this session, we cover the territory of discipline by outlining four basic directions one can take in managing a child's behaviour, with three core practices involved in each of the four directions. Included in this session is a discussion of how best to manage incidents where troubling behaviour occurs, as well as practices that help children grow out of discipline problems. - Session Four – Discipline and the magic of play
Play is a powerful instrument in managing behaviour. Play not only changes the heart, but also preserves and develops a child's will as well as prepares the mind to become more informed by the outcomes of behaviour. When employed properly, play can be used as the default method of managing the behaviour of the immature.
Inquiries
If you have questions or require additional information that you cannot find on our website or FAQ page, you may contact our office on our Inquiries page.
Charity & Non-Profit Status
The Neufeld Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the name Neufeld Institute Foundation and is also registered as a NPO in British Columbia. If you would like to make a contribution to us, please go to our donation page.
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