Positive Discipline: Building Teacher Student Relationship

Abstract

Discipline is the practice of teaching or training a person to obey rules or a code of behaviour in both the short and long terms. While punishment is meant to control a child’s behaviour, discipline is meant to develop a child’s behaviour, especially in matters of conduct. It is meant to teach child self-control and confidence by focusing on what it is we want the child to learn and what the child is capable of learning. It is the basis for guiding children on how to be in harmony with themselves and get along with other people.

Positive Discipline is the outcome of the activities and experiences that inculcates in the individual virtues of self – control based on Reason and not on Force. It is the outcome of Persuasion and not of Compulsion. It comes out of doing rather than of talking. Like religion it cannot be taught but can only be caught and practiced. Children need to be taught so that they understand and follow social rules. The ultimate goal of discipline is for children to understand their own behaviour, take initiative, be responsible for their choices, and respect themselves and others.