How can we help children learn better?

Keep Things Simple

As adults we often use words that children don't understand. Try to talk and teach to their level.

Model Good Skills

Children need to see things done properly.

Expect Results

We see what we expect to see. Believe that a child can do it and great things will happen

Do What Works

If the way you are teaching isn't working, be ready to try something new.

Empower a Child

Give a child the confidence and skills to succeed, then allow them to grow with guidance.

 Discipline: The Sooner the Better
 

       If you asked parents if they would mind supervising a rowdy group of junior high students for an afternoon, many would rather get a root canal instead.  It seems like an impossible task to reach an adolescent, let only enforce a set of rules about behaviour.  Without even mentioning the size of most teens or their assumed involvement in criminal activities, the challenge of discipline with teens would seem overwhelming to anyone.  For this reason, discipline should be done sooner rather than later.
        I first refined my skills of discipline by teaching swimming lessons.  Having kids for only ten lessons over two weeks gave me the chance to practise and perfect my skills as an instructor.  What I discovered was that the sooner I could establish ground rules and enforce them, the smoother classes went. The first time young swimmers talked out of turn, were disrespectful or broke a rule, they were on the edge with a quick explanation of why.
        Allowing children to get away with breaking the rules for a while then insisting that they follow them is kind of like letting them play soccer for ten minutes, then saying they have to sit quietly for an hour.  They won’t understand why they can no longer do what was at first “OK”.  The child will be able to talk out of turn, run or act crazy during free time, but allowing this to happen first just invites rebellion.  Teaching when and where actions are appropriate should be done early on.
        This means that the younger a children are, the more important discipline is.  You may have seen a poster that says, “All I really need to know, I learned in kindergarten.”  This is a profound statement as it shows how important early lessons are.  Many people further believe that the best predictors of how students will do in college are the comments made on their kindergarten report card. 
        Many parents use the argument that they are letting “kids be kids”.  From experience I can honestly say that kids who are better behaved have more fun in life.  Kids who run wild create stress for parents, teachers and anyone without earshot.  Discipline doesn’t mean making sure kids don’t have any fun.  It actually means the opposite: making sure nothing or no one gets hurt and when this happens, everything is more fun.  This means respecting the people you are with and the things around you. 
        Children who are well behaved can do more things.  Parents feel more comfortable in restaurants when it is stress free.  Kids who can sit and focus spend more time on assignments and do better at school.  Better behaviour also makes it easier for children to be part of an athletic team or specialized group like a choir or drama club.  Generally speaking, the more discipline a child displays, the more opportunities there will be available to them.
        Some experienced teachers describe this as “putting in time”.  The rationale is that by putting the time and energy in early, you save this later on by not having to constantly deal with behaviour issues.  It is easy to spend time with kids who are respectful and well-mannered.  It’s also easier to have fun when you’re not incessantly nagging them to stop acting inappropriately.
        You can see parents and teachers that understand this concept by the strong relationship they have with their children.  Fair and consistent discipline leads to respect.  This means enforce the rules that you want them to follow.  Follow through with the consequences every time the rule is broken.  Finally, make sure the consequences are fair and “fit the crime”.  When it comes to the issue of discipline, it should be dealt with sooner than later.