Conscious Discipline

Conscious Discipline, created by Dr. Becky Bailey,  is an important part of our everyday routine that serves as guidance for teachers, leaders, children and families. Conscious Discipline focuses on wise, adaptive decision- making rather than compliance. When our focus is directed towards compliance, reward/punishment methods, and the need for the child to "please me" in their actions, we sacrifice self-regulation, wise decision-making, and goal setting. Conscious Discipline was evolved around three standards: Safety, Connection, and Problem Solving and through these, the four most important components were created: 7 Skills of Discipline , The Connected Family, 7 Powers For Conscious Adults, and The Brain State Model. Our educators are very knowledgeable on Conscious Discipline and consistently carry out the methods, ideals, and actions that coincide with this method, in the classrooms. You may notice upon entering the classroom for drop off, your child's educator will perform an "I Love You Ritual" These rituals are performed all throughout the day either individually or in groups. An "I Love You Ritual" was designed to "promote optimal brain development, increase attention span, reduce hyperactivity, build self-esteem, amplify cooperation and facilitate language development." There are four components to a successful ritual: eye contact, touch, presence, and playfulness. Conscious Discipline is constantly implemented throughout the day in the classroom, but is also encouraged to be used at home. The Conscious Discipline website just released Shubert's Home which takes the viewer through every room of the house and gives an examples of how Conscious Discipline can be used. AOFC recently held a parent workshop on Conscious Discipline and how to practice it at home. It was a HUGE hit! We had a fun raffle that allowed two parents to win books written by Dr. Becky Bailey that help with understanding and practicing Conscious Discipline at home. We love having the opportunity to implement these practices at our school and hope you will be encouraged to explore it at home!

One of our awesome parents selected in the drawing at the Conscious Discipline

Parent workshop. She won a great book written by Dr. Becky Bailey! 

The Parent Workshop was a huge hit and the parents that attended were all so excited for our prize drawing. This is the other parent whose name was drawn to win a book on Conscious discipline! 

We implement conscious discipline in so many ways at school. I Love You Rituals are always a favorite for the kids to participate in. During group time in the Preschool Three classroom, they use Fernando the Frog to carry out their I Love You Rituals. 

A little snippet on what an I Love You Ritual is, why we use it, and a few examples. 

These are really helpful in promoting connections in the classroom. 

This is an example of a Safe Place in the classroom . We use these as an opportunity for the kiddos to help them understand what they are feeling and regulate their emotions through breathing exercises  and other tools. You can use Safe Place at home, too! Check out the Conscious Discipline website to learn how. 

For more info on AOFC and the programs we offer, please click HERE

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