Blog Home » Ministry Focus & Equipping » Teacher Training » An Umbrella for Classroom Discipline

An Umbrella for Classroom Discipline

Share:

I’ve done a lot of teacher training seminars through the years and learned that a very large number of teachers in children’s ministry rate classroom discipline issues as their number one frustration. Many of these teachers want a step by step play book for “fixing” the problems which I have not been able to provide. Instead, I have handed them an umbrella for classroom discipline. — No, not the kind that keeps them from getting wet. An analogy.

An Analogy, Using an Umbrella, for Classroom Discipline

  1. Teachers need a big picture perspective or philosophy under which all discipline should come.  This is like the canopy of the umbrella.  Without this material over the framework, or spokes, their efforts will not protect or provide shelter.  All that is done needs to come under the umbrella of God’s Word.  The Effectively Handling Classroom Discipline Workbook provides this kind of perspective.
  1. Under that canopy are spokes, the framework on which the material hangs.  These are principles that can apply to all discipline situations.  Again, the workbook will help you work through these principles but the Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline can also help with that.
  1. The umbrella with its canopy and framework won’t help unless you personally grab hold of it.  This is where the handle comes in — the specific application to your situation.  One reason I can’t provide steps to handling discipline problems is that there are so many variables.  For example, two children can engage in the same behavior but for different reasons making the application specific to that situation.

Classroom Discipline Issues

The Discipline Issues: What to Do About Specific Challenges resource provides help with 56 different discipline issues. You’ll find a page for each challenge listing possible causes with resultant suggestions for each issue.

Here are some examples:

  • Attention-Getting Behavior with 3 possible causes
  • Bringing Toys & Objects from Home with 3 possible causes
  • Constantly or Excessively Moving Children with 3 possible causes
  • Crying When Children Dropped off with 3 possible causes
  • Talking Incessantly/Inappropriately with 3 possible causes
  • Teasing & Bullying with 6 possible causes
  • When Staff Kids Misbehave with 4 possible causes

As you keep God’s big picture perspective in mind and apply the principles in ways appropriate to your situation and student needs, “rainy days” won’t have to get you drenched with frustration and despair.  If you line up what you do with God and His Word, you can depend on God for the long-range results and short-term coverage.

NOTE: All of the above mentioned resources are available in the Classroom Discipline Bundle.

Share:

3 Replies to “An Umbrella for Classroom Discipline”

  1. Classroom discipline would be one of the toughest challenge for any educator that I’ve known. This blog post is very informative.

    • I am so glad you find the site beneficial, Elizabeth. Yes, grace is a far greater motivator than condemnation. That doesn’t mean we never address the issues but when we do, we “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and do it for the purpose of building up, not merely letting them know how “bad” they are. Our goal should always be to help them be who God wants them to be, not to merely control their behavior.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published but may be used to contact you of any responses to your comment. Spam, requests for free material, and promotional info will not be posted; nor will a response be forthcoming. Required fields are marked *

*