Discipline, even Montessori discipline, can be a pretty touchy topic, but it must be talked about, right?

In this post, let’s dive deeper into the very important topic of discipline.

But I do want to remind you that this is Part 2, so you will want to go to Part 1 and do two things.

These two things are:

1. Watch the training video (it is about 20 minutes long).
2. Read that Part 1 blog post (it is not labeled as Part 1, but you can see this is Part 2).

Once you are done with these two things, come back to this Part 2 post and read through it.

These posts build on each other, so you will understand this better if you go through the video training and the Part 1 blog post.

3 Ways to do Discipline the Montessori Way

Last week’s LIVE training was a treasure on The Montessori approach to discipline that you won’t want to miss!

If you have been wanting to learn more about what discipline the Montessori way looks like and what it means, but don’t know where to start, you will definitely want to watch the live training.

WATCH Episode 29: Discipline the Montessori way HERE

Don’t forget that when you are looking at doing discipline the right way in your Montessori environment with your children, you need to take several things into consideration.

In the live training of Part 1, I discuss three very important things, but I will delve deeper into one of them in this email.

One of the things that you need to look into and take into consideration about discipline the Montessori way is the concept of how children experience natural consequences.

Not because you THINK you know what it is that means that you are right, so check out the training, especially because this term doesn’t get the attention that it needs.

Not only will it help you determine discipline based on natural consequences, but it will help the children tremendously when it comes to reason, logic and common sense.

Help the Child to Experience Discipline the Right Way

As I help my clients inside The Montessori Way Foundations Framework discover more about this very topic, this is a very important question: 

Why is focusing on natural consequences so important?

The beauty of things is that in The Montessori Way Foundations Framework, we develop a plan according to their particular situation. And I have people in all places in the spectrum. We make it work for everyone!

But THIS is a question that everyone is intrigued… in terms of why we need to raise its importance in our Montessori discipline plan.

The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter how much you think you know. Don’t ever assume.

That is why I go into what it is and why it is important.

If you have been working with children for a time using The Montessori Method, you have definitely had to use discipline in one form or another.

You might have even had to come up with a set discipline plan. 

And if this is your first time thinking about incorporating natural consequences into your discipline plan, then you will definitely want to add it to your list of desired behaviors.

I want to give you a little more on this one point as it is very important.

You want to pay attention to the natural consequences for behaviors in children.

Remember two very important things:

1. Don’t taint the word “consequence” with a negative paintbrush.

Consequence denotes the result of an action, hence, there are good consequences and bad consequences… and NOT just bad consequences.

Make a series of short lesson plans or discussions to have during your Circle Time about this word to make sure children understand this definition well.

If you are not the parent, you might want to type up a short note to parents with this information so they understand and are on the same page.

Children don’t always have to feel bad in the prepared environment when they hear the term “consequence.”

2. Define and give examples of the term “natural consequence.”

A natural consequence is the reasonable result of a behavior.

This consequence makes sense, is a natural transition from the action and it directly encourages the good behavior that just happened or discourages the negative behavior that transpired.

In your discussion or lesson plan, make a list of some examples for both negative natural consequences and for positive natural consequences.

 

Here is one example for each that you are welcome to use:

If I forget to water my plant for several days or weeks… what will happen? The plant will wilt and might even die.

This is a negative natural consequence.

If I thoroughly brush my teeth two or three times a day and avoid sugary sweets… what will happen on my next visit to the dentist? My teeth will most likely have no cavities.

This is a positive natural consequence.

When children do something positive or negative, make an effort in your discipline plan to make all consequences as natural and reasonable as possible.

For example, if my child doesn’t clean their messy room when asked, the natural consequence is that they will not be able to go outside to play with their neighbors later that day until their room is clean. 

A consequence that is not natural in this instance is for the child to do extra schoolwork or extra reading, for example.

Does that make sense?

The consequence must be connected and related to the action, whether positive or negative.

Help the Child Develop Grace and Courtesy in The Montessori Classroom

As The Montessori teacher, focus on correct and desirable behaviors in your carefully prepared environment.

This will help the child learn empathy, to be caring, to think about others, etc.

 

What about you?

What discipline points are you wanting to focus on the Montessori way?

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