Conscious Discipline is designed to empower teachers to notice and foster our own emotional intelligence so we can better guide and facilitate our children's.  It's more than a program,  it's a philosophy for professional and personal life.  Conscious Discipline is rooted in current brain and heart research.  It's about relationship-based teaching and building classroom community.  The ultimate goal is connecting and creating a safe and caring environment for learning and growing-building your school family.  There are seven basic skills of discipline:

1.  Composure:  Becoming the person you want children to be
2.  Encouragement:  Building a school family
3.  Assertiveness:  Saying "No" and being heard
4.  Choices:  Building self-esteem and willpower
5.  Positive Intent:  Creating teaching moments
6.  Empathy:  Handling the fussing and fits
7.  Consequences:  Helping children learn from their mistakes

In order to utilize these skills, there are powers for self-control that are associated with each:

1.  Power of Perception:  No one can make you mad without your permission (Composure)
2.  Power of Unity:  We are all in this together  (Encouragement)
3.  Power of Attention:  What you focus on you get more of  (Assertiveness)
4.  Power of Free Will:  The only person you can make change is yourself  (Choices)
5.  Power of Love:  See the best in each other  (Positive Intent)
6.  Power of Acceptance:  See the moment as it is  (Empathy)
7.  Power of Intention:  Conflict is an opportunity to teach  (Consequences)

Emotional intelligence sets up a lifetime of success or struggle.  Research says that children must feel safe, worthy, and connected in order for learning potential to be maximized.  Conscious Discipline gives you the tools to create a school family environment that embodies this.  It is easily adapted to all age and developmental levels and fully integrates with "academic" curriculum.  It is not about gimmicks or tricks, it's about being assertive with children in a respectful way, teaching them and empowering them to make healthy and helpful choices for themselves and others-emotional intelligence as well as "academic" intelligence. 

How Do I Start Conscious Discipline In My Classroom?

1.  Commit to the journey.  Check out the Loving Guidance site for information.  Attend a workshop if possible.
2.  Purchase the book.  Practice one skill/power a month.  Remember, to "Oops!" or make mistakes is to learn.
3.  Focus on adding classroom structures, rituals, and routines to build your school family.
4.  Find a buddy or support person to help you along the journey-together we're better!

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