Head Start is a program for pre-school age children or in the lower elementary,usually, because the children are young, the aspect of discipline is important. Participating children are expected to behave with respect ,kindness,and courtesy toward  their peers and teachers.They are also impressionable and learning to control their emotions.Their parents handle discipline differently which differ from disciplinary methods used in the Head Start program. The following are ways to handle classroom discipline in the Head Start program.

              

                  Set rules and guidelines from the very beginning of the school year. Inform children what is expected of them from the start. This is the best way to eliminate needless disciplinary actions in the future. Children that know what type of behavior is expected are less likely to break the rules.

               Make the rules basic and simple. You have to remember that children have short attention span.

                Practice patience.The first time a child break a rule,explain to him in a patient but firm tone that his behavior is unacceptable and that if he partakes in that type of behavior again there will be consequences.Explain the consequences so the child fully understands the importance of his wrong doing.

               Make parents aware of the rules.Parents and teachers should be on the same page when it comes to setting rules and boundaries for young children,expressing your disciplinary guidelines to parents helps keep future conflict to a minimum.Also,teachers should notify the parents for the disciplinary actions taken against their child.They also set up a meeting with parents to discuss a plan for handling the child’s persistent undesirable behavior.

 

       

        

By: Gerlie A. Gallano | T-III | Bagac Elementary School | Bagac, Bataan