POSITIVE DISCIPLINE: A BETTER WAY OF LEARNING

VILMA H. VILLANUEVA

As teachers, we play a vital role in shaping the lives of our young students. We are their partners, their role models, and we stand as their second parent, so how we treat them in school and in the four corners of the classroom could have a long-lasting effect, whether it be positive or negative.

With that said, it is very important for us to perform our duties with full awareness of the consequences of our acts on the lives of our learners. We must work hand in hand to ensure a nurturing and safe environment for all children. Thus, it is important that we apply Positive Discipline in our everyday teaching.

What is Positive Discipline? It is actually an approach designed to teach young ones to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. It helps students succeed, gives them the information they need to learn, and supports their development. It respects children’s rights to healthy development, protection from violence and active participation in their learning.

As a school leader, I highly encourage my fellow educators to utilize Positive Discipline which helps children feel a sense of connection, belonging and significance. I believe it is high time to put an end to the practice of corporal and other humiliating and degrading forms of punishment because that does not help our students develop themselves.

We need to keep in mind that the best way of disciplining a child is when he or she did something wrong, instead of punishing them, teach and guide them to set the behavior right. Then again, we must be kind but firm, show empathy and respect but also strict when needed.

Through integrating Positive Learning and becoming sensible teachers, we can mold our children as caring, capable and resilient adults. Before I end, I want to urge everyone to always consider what kind of people we want our students to become, and to use everyday interactions with them in school to teach the values and skills that they will need to become strong and compassionate individuals.

— oOo—

The author is Principal II at Bacolor Elementary School Proper