In the article ‘Discipline Is Something You Do For Someone’ by Gardner McCollum, the author describes discipline as something an authority figure like a teacher or coach uses with his students because at first the students aren’t able to be disciplined themselves.
First the children have to have structure and discipline in place in the classroom environment so they can understand the concept. Then eventually they are able to exercise self-discipline themselves.
Every one, every day, is faced with choices and each of us has the free will to decide what our choice will be. However, once the choice is made we cannot escape the consequences of our choices. That is the basis for the Law of Cause and Effect, sometimes referred to as “consequential behavior.” For example, a student who chooses to attend class, pay attention and study will be successful as a student and will receive praise and awards for his/her accomplishments. A student who is absent frequently, daydreams and fails to do his assigned work will find school to be unpleasant and non-productive.
The principles of consequential behavior are universal, applying to teachers, administrators and parents as well as students. Self-discipline is an acquired behavior learned through the efforts of the important people in our lives. Helping children to acquire self-discipline often requires great self-discipline by those responsible for teaching it. Enforcing the consequences of undisciplined behavior is a difficult and often unpleasant task which many teachers and parents find easier to ignore. There are, of course, consequences to ignoring enforcement — a person lacking in self-discipline because he was able to evade the consequences of his behavior.
The Law of Cause and Effect is key – both for positive and negative behaviors. When a teacher is showing appreciation to her student for doing a dance step correctly or for proper, she has to be sure to articulate exactly what she is praising. Saying, “Good job!” or “Good Girl, Susie!” doesn’t tell the student what in particular is good. A comment such as “Your sautés are much better. Your feet were nicely stretched and you stayed in one spot!” or “Susie, it was very nice that you helped Mary up when she fell down. You were being a good friend to Mary!” lets the child know what action or behavior you are appreciating.
Often a child will get only seem to get attention from the dance teacher when they are misbehaving or when they are doing a step incorrectly. This is just re-enforcing the behavior or action that the teacher doesn’t want, which will likely lead to more of the same unwanted behavior or incorrect dance steps. Instead,
Every one, every day, is faced with choices and each of us has the free will to decide what our choice will be. However, once the choice is made we cannot escape the consequences of our choices. That is the basis for the Law of Cause and Effect, sometimes referred to as “consequential behavior.” For example, a student who chooses to attend class, pay attention and study will be successful as a student and will receive praise and awards for his/her accomplishments. A student who is absent frequently, daydreams and fails to do his assigned work will find school to be unpleasant and non-productive.
The principles of consequential behavior are universal, applying to teachers, administrators and parents as well as students. Self-discipline is an acquired behavior learned through the efforts of the important people in our lives. Helping children to acquire self-discipline often requires great self-discipline by those responsible for teaching it. Enforcing the consequences of undisciplined behavior is a difficult and often unpleasant task which many teachers and parents find easier to ignore. There are, of course, consequences to ignoring enforcement – a person lacking in self-discipline because he was able to evade the consequences of his behavior.
Here are some suggestions to help students to become self-disciplined:
- Be sure your students understand the Law of Cause and Effect.
- Be sure your students understand the consequences of decisions.
- Do not set sanctions that you cannot or will not enforce.
- Enforce the sanctions each time, every time consistently and fairly. Avoid the temptation not to enforce sanctions because enforcement creates an inconvenience for you or because you feel sorry for the offender.
- Remember you are helping someone to learn to live with the consequences of their choices.
- Be self-disciplined yourself.
Helping students to learn self-discipline is a demanding task, especially in a permissive society. It is well worth the effort. It helps to assure that your students will live happy, successful lives long after they have established lives independent from parents and teachers. As famed college football coach Lou Holtz said, “Discipline is something you do for someone.”
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See you on Tuesday!
