Discipline principles

WHYdo we need to discipline people? In my point of view, discipline is used to train people to obey rules using punishment and reward so that they will obey with the standards set for their growth and development.

Considering the educational system in our country, the term discipline has been used to connote the systematic training of the ethical values or capabilities of the child through effective instructions that would enhance their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual qualities. Usually, the term discipline is used to a certain punishment. However, the purpose of discipline is to equip the child to meet the realities of life.

Being in the educational system of the K to 12 curriculum, disciplining the child through effective instructions and training is a beat more challenging than before. It is because teachers or mentors are bounded with many laws that would hinder roles in training the child. According to William A. Kelly (1956), he mentioned six principles underlying effective and constructive discipline which may help a teacher to be more effective and efficient in giving instruction or training a child.

These are follows: (1) It is the teacher‘s task to maintain adequate and orderly conditions within the classroom in order to provide a wholesome atmosphere and the most effective environment for learning; (2) Constructive discipline must develop ideals, attitudes, and habits which are desirable both in school and in mature life; to the end that individual may become self-controlled and self-directed. This principle’s includes also the stimulation of worthy motives and of cultural appreciations; (3) Discipline must conform to the nature of the child and must build upon recognition of his inherent dignity as a person, of his rights, of his duties, of his responsibilities; (4) Discipline in order to be effective must be vital and meaningful, sympathetic and humane; (5) The standards of discipline imposed by the teacher for the guidance and inspiration of the pupils must constitute the basis of selfdiscipline; and (6) Constructive discipline must be an outstanding objective of the entire educative process.

These principles are stressed because constructive discipline is the chief means of good citizenship and the most effective means of developing character. Being the molder of the youth, we should embrace change and not by living to our ideals but by being humane and passionate to our duties as disciplinarians for the growth and development of the child.

By Joeferino M. Guinumtad