Shannon Dobson is a guest blogger joining the Miss Behavior Blog community this month to share strategies for using Conscious Discipline in the classroom. This is a wonderful way to connect with and engage students in positive behavior practices. Learn more about Shannon at the end of this post!
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The art of teaching students is TOUGH. It requires us to pour every ounce of our beings into creating engaging lessons while fostering a socially and emotionally healthy environment that allows students to thrive. Like, “What teacher program prepares us for that?” Let me be REAL honest, I am LUCKY if I can get it right 1 out of 5 days. But, hey, I keep trying.
One night, while strolling on the web, I stumbled upon Conscious Discipline (Dr. Becky Bailey) and immediately was HOOKED. I mean, who does not want to be a more conscious and connected PERSON? I am a teacher, so I am down to try almost anything at least once.
I am sharing some of my favorite Conscious Discipline practices that have been transformational in my role as a district behavior specialist. (And don’t forget to check out these amazing resources: Conscious Discipline Free Resources)
BRAIN SMART START
The Brain Smart Start is by far the EASIEST practice to implement in any classroom and small group session. In fact, many of us already are doing many of these practices on a regular basis. The core principles are:
- an activity to UNITE (communicates we are all in this together)
- an activity to DISENGAGE stress (creates a sense of safety)
- an activity to CONNECT (encourages collaboration)
- an activity to COMMIT (encourages responsibility)
So, how would you implement in the classroom? Here are some ways I use it as I travel across classrooms in our district:
- Unite by reciting the class or school pledge
- Disengage by teaching breathing strategies (hot cocoa breathing, balloon breathing)
- Connect by engaging in 2–3-minute group activities like 4 corners (Check Out These Resources!)
- Commit by reviewing our commitments that we have developed for the day/week. These can be specific to the needs in your classroom.
Be sure to include student voice and choice. (Click Here to Learn More About Commitments)
- I am committed to being safe in the classroom.
- I am committed to using kind words.
Be the CALM
The classroom can present many triggers for teachers and students. As teachers, it is key for us to remember we have to download our own calmin order to upload calm to our students. One way to do this is using the S.T.A.R. strategy:
Make the SHIFT
We all have experienced situations that stretch us in more ways than one. Ever had a student that spits? Kicks? Screams? Behaviors that disrupt our classroom environment can prove to be some of the most trying times for many of us. It is easy for us to lean on deficit framed thinking when describing these behaviors. This is a TRAP! The words we use to describe our students frames the way we think about them and ultimately how we interact with them in their toughest moments. This framework has helped me to focus on how I can build skills and be supportive for my students:
“We are not here to see through one another, but to see one another through.”
Instead of “Asten is very aggressive and always hitting his peers.” try this “I noticed Asten is having a hard time engaging with his peers during circle time.”
This simple shift in our thinking allows to see the child through a different lens, thus being more open to focus on building skills to support their social and emotional needs.
So, are you willing to make the shift? Being a more conscious human is not an easy task and requires A LOT of practice. I believe every small step we take together will propel us forward on this journey to becoming more conscious and compassionate educators.
Shannon serves as a lead district behavior specialist in North Carolina. She has been an educator for 19 years and served as a teacher working with students with emotional and behavior disabilities, and a learning support coach for special education.
