INCOMING!! Positive Discipline Training for Parents…but first we celebrate!
🎉🌟 Hip Hip Hooray! 🌟🎉
After the Chinese New Year, we will be arranging the next set of official Positive Discipline training for our parent community…watch this space for updates! In the meantime, we are thrilled to share more exciting news about our schoolwide journey towards developing a school environment and culture of Positive Discipline. On 24th-25th January, our support teachers in the PYP successfully completed their Positive Discipline training. This is yet another accomplishment that cements our teachers’ dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment for your children.
Positive Discipline is an approach to teaching that helps children develop self-discipline, responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. Following the Alderian Theory of Individual Psychology, Positive Discipline is based on the understanding that children are more likely to be well-behaved when they feel a sense of belonging and significance within their community. This approach also plays a crucial role in building self-awareness, and emotional control and reducing anger, as it emphasises mutual respect, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.
The benefits of Positive Discipline extend beyond individual students to the entire school community. It fosters an environment where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to take responsibility for their actions. This approach also promotes a sense of community and collaboration among students, teachers, and parents, creating a positive and supportive school culture.
Below is a recount of the training from one of our support teachers, Ms. Christie Qiu:
Christie Qiu
‘I attended the school’s training on positive discipline last week, which has left a lasting impact on me. If teachers understand the purpose behind their students’ various behaviours and provide education in a kind and firm manner; if teachers and students respect and trust each other and if children receive continuous encouragement from teachers, then their growth path will be full of confidence and love. These are all practices advocated by the positive discipline approach.
Our trainer, Ms. Olivia Zhang ( ) is a qualified senior psychological counsellor and positive discipline instructor, who is also a distinguished lecturer of parent-child courses at Guangzhou Cultural Center. She provided her expertise and guidance that led to many new realisations and deeper understandings.
During the training, Olivia used various roleplay games to allow us to think from others’ perspectives and understand the behavioural psychology of children. Often, as adults, we can take what we already know for granted and only consider our own viewpoint. It’s important to understand that children (as well as other adults) hold different perspectives and may need to understand in different ways. We therefore must learn to truly listen and understand effectively.
There was a small game during the interaction in the training class that left a deep impression on me. Ten people participants stood on chairs in a large circle, whilst two others took the role of the children and stood outside the circle to communicate with the adults in turn. When standing in front of adults, the children repeated “I am just a child, I need attention.” Adults were assigned a passage or action based on their role. The ten characters were father, mother, nanny, teacher, brother, sister, etc. The child actors in the first round received lines that contained negativity, anger, impatience, complaints, accusations, or neglect. After the round, Olivia asked the two child actors how they felt, and the answers they got were: fear, confusion, disappointment, grievance, timidity, and feeling overwhelmed – this is very likely to happen in a child’s day…
When we see a child coming to us unhappy, it is difficult for us to know what he or she has just experienced. Without trust and listening, we cannot open the child’s heart. Effective communication will not occur if adults stand on commanding heights or fight against them…
In the second round of the game, the adults all got off their chairs, and both sides faced each other from an equal perspective. The adults had to make amends for the previous verbal behaviour: paying attention to the child, hugging the child, apologising, and listening. This time, the training teacher asked the children about their new feelings again, and the answers they received were calmness, relief, relaxation, attention, and a feeling of love.
After the game, everyone felt a little heavy. The sense of substitution made us reflect. The bad language and attitude of adults towards children are like swords and chasms, which push education to the negative side. However, positive discipline can turn things into spring breezes and nourish children silently.’ – Christie Qiu Y2G
In the new year, there will be an opportunity for parents to learn about the Positive Discipline approach from an esteemed and highly experienced Positive Discipline trainer, Ms. Olivia. Watch this space for more information in future posts! Her video can be seen below:
We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the teachers’ unwavering dedication to providing the best possible learning experience for your children. Their ongoing pursuit of excellence in education is truly commendable.
Let’s join together in celebrating this significant achievement and the positive impact it will have on the UISG community!
Written by Jonathan Harris (Assistant Head of Primary & PYP Coordinator) & Christie Qiu (Y2G Teaching Assistant)
Jonathan Harris PYP Christie Qiu Y2G
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