Youth
Conscious discipline helps Torah Academy thrive
Torah Academy teachers recently attended workshops with conscious discipline practitioner Esther Levin, and have been integrating conscious discipline into their classrooms. The children have also had interactive lessons with Levin on identifying and naming different feelings, and how to respond to them effectively.
OWN CORRESPONDENT
Conscious discipline is a comprehensive programme that integrates social and emotional learning, school culture/climate, and discipline.
The trauma-informed, evidence-based, research-backed programme, is founded on the premise of safety and connection. Children who feel safe and connected will be more willing to solve problems, and are more likely to thrive.
Connected children feel safe enough to reflect on their choices, and see the impact of their actions on others. The programme emphasises connection through empathy, encouragement, the school, family, and “I love you” rituals.
Conscious discipline also helps adults to regulate themselves sufficiently to choose a helpful response to a child’s behaviour. Because you can’t teach skills you don’t have, it focuses on an “adult first, child second” methodology, and makes adults aware of brain-body states in themselves and children. It then offers them the practical skills needed to manage thoughts, feelings, and actions.