In her article, "Building Spaces, Finding Words — Creating the Context for Positive Discipline," which forms the basis for the Exchange Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name, Marjorie Kostelnik talks about using logical consequences whenever children act inappropriately:
"Logical consequences make an obvious connection between children's behavior and a resulting disciplinary action. They cause children either to rehearse the desired behavior or to restore a problem situation to a more desirable state. For instance, if the rule is 'Walk' and LaToya runs down the hall, a logical consequence would be to have her retrace her steps and walk. The act of walking actually approximates the rule, allowing LaToya to enact it physically. This provides her with a meaningful reminder of the rule to draw on in the future.
"Similarly, if Mohammed draws in a picture book, it would be logical to have him erase the marks. This action returns the volume to a more acceptable state and shows Mohammed that the unacceptable act of defacing a book will not be tolerated. As these consequences are being carried out, adults remind children of what the rule was and why the consequence is necessary. They do so matter of factly, never shouting, mocking, or threatening children. Logical consequences also are more effective than simply scolding children, forbidding them to participate in a favorite activity, or asking them to sit away from the group for a while. Although the latter consequences demonstrate adult displeasure, they do not teach children acceptable behaviors to substitute for less positive ones.
"Children need positive guidance from adults to distinguish acceptable from unacceptable behavior and to learn how to behave in appropriate ways. Such guidance is best provided in a physical environment that supports children's decision making, independence, and cooperative interactions. Likewise, a positive verbal environment is the most conducive to children's development of a favorable self-image and socially acceptable conduct."
Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsSanta Monica College
Santa Monica, CA, United States
Logical consequences is really a very simple process that many of us were taught and lived by. In a time when more time was taken in the adult to child interactions I think we learned young and as we grew that we could not get away with the same things over and over again so it was best to change our behaviors. In talking with ECE teachers and students about this concept one of the comments that has come up many times is that it "takes too much time!" What we always need to remember is that when we take time up front we save time later. Again so logical that it makes me smile as I think about how often I do NOT apply this same thought process or behavior to my own adult actions and how much simpler life would be all around if I did!
United States
Hmmm. I'm with Alfie Kohn on the subject of "consequences."
"To help students become ethical people, as opposed to people who merely do what they are told, we cannot merely tell them what to do. We have to help them figure out--for themselves and with each other--how one ought to act. That's why dropping the tools of traditional discipline, like rewards and consequences, is only the beginning. It's even more crucial that we overcome a preoccupation with getting compliance and instead involve students in devising and justifying ethical principles."
Cooperative Kids LLC
Enfield, Connecticut, United States
The two most important parts of this article is that the logical consequence must be related directly to the infraction and that the adult caregiver must remain calm during the implementation. This enables the child to have the greatest learning experience from it. I wish there was a way to share this article via social media to the thousands of parents who follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Have you thought about inserting the social media icons for readers to do this? All the best!
Bill Corbett
http://www.TheParentingShow.tv
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