What is your discipline system? « Children's Ministry Forums

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What is your discipline system?

(11 posts) (10 voices)

Started 7 months ago by stocksohio
Latest reply from leahagee
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stocksohio

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What systems do you have in place for your kids. Here one I have used with some success in our kindergarten-first grade room:

We issue three arm bracelets to each kid at the beginning of class. They lose a bracelet for talking when they shouldn't, not keeping their hands to themselves, or ignoring a leader.

They get a small piece of candy at the end of class for each bracelet they have left.

We tried to keep it very very simple and we framed it as a reward, not a punishment. Over the course of a couple of months, we saw great improvement in the kids' behavior as a whole - especially kids who are "followers" and are just mimicking the behavior of other kids. It also has given us a great way to talk about mercy and grace with those kids who have lost all their bracelets.

What system(s) do you use?

Posted 7 months ago #
TonyKummer

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In kids church, I practice very heavy positive reinforcement. We lay out expectations and immediately praise kids who are "ready for kids church." Then I use verbal redirects or eye contact to keep the kids focused. It's really not a system just trying to parent 30+ children at once!

I'd love to hear others respond to this question.

Posted 7 months ago #
Miss Linda

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I have just begun to teach age 4 to 12 on Wednesday night. This is my first teaching job at the Church. I have a 11 year old who does disrupte the class and when he does he has 2 other boys that follow his lead. His parents or grandparents do not come to church as does many on Wednesday nights. I have gave warning of what to expect if rules are not followed so this next Wednesday night will be the first night to enforce rule. We are in a separate building from our Adult class and I plan on taking child to the adult class and have him sit up by the teacher, who happens to be our pastor. I think after the first time the behavior will stop and will also show the others that follow his lead what to expect. I have around 14 to 17 in class. I have talked to our pastor and others in the church about this, so they will know what to expect. I think our kids today do have any respect as they are not taught at home. Hope this works

Posted 7 months ago #
stocksohio

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Miss Linda,

Based on your introduction and the mix of kids you have, it sounds like you may face a variety of discipline problems. I think consistency will be the key. Let us know how it turns out. Best of luck to you.

Posted 7 months ago #
candacepringle

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We pretty much use the same method as Tony posted above, but we also have a reward system called the Quiet Seat Prize. When the lesson starts, the teachers tells the kids that the helper in the back of the room has BIG eyes that can see them ALL at once, and he'll be watching you all during the entire lesson and he's going to pick the one kids in the room that was the QUIETEST and most PARTICIPATING-EST!

If the kids start to get chatty or unruly during class you just remind them that the helper with big eyes is back there watching for the Quiet Seat Prize Winner...they usually settle down pretty quickly.

For the prize then, we've done a variety of things. We used to give out one dollar bill at the end of class, some teachers bring their own prize, or we do a "grab bag" system where they get three tries to pick something they like. It works really well!

If it's one child in particular causing a ruckus (this is for ages 1st-6th grade), I usually warn them first, then move them to another seat in the room, usually far away from the kids they were talking to. It usually stops there, but if it continues, then I'll either move them up on the floor by the teacher, or out into the hallway to have a "talk". The final straw is to call their parents in from the service...I've never had to do that yet!!

Posted 7 months ago #
vbscrazy

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Does anyone else have a "discipline ladder'? This is a series of consequences that gets gradually greater for each offense. I heard about one ladder that begins with a verbal warning and increases to the child sitting out of Children's Church for one month. I really to be honest didn't like that so I wondered if anyone else had any thoughts.

Posted 1 week ago #
carguy1

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vbscrazy, I don't use a "discipline ladder", but I would have to agree that I don't like the idea of putting a kid out of children's church for a month. In cases of EXTREME discipline problems I might resort to putting a kid out for a Sunday, but not for an entire month. Children's church is where they need to be. If we are doing our job we should expect some misbehaving. After all, if every kid there is behaving well, then we are not reaching new kids for Christ. Last fall I met with our children's workers and reminded them of this. I also pointed them to a Casting Crowns song that says, "He has to change their heart before he changes their shirt." In my mind, putting a kid out of children's church for a month might motivate them to change their behavior, but in my mind removing them from that environment decreases te chance of changing their heart.

That's just my 2 cents, or maybe it was more like 4 cents.

Posted 1 week ago #
peggyportersprings

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When I raise my arm high they know they are too loud. If I have disruptions repeatedly from the same child I put them in time out and then I talk to them before they get out of time out. I go over what they did wrong, why it was wrong, and why they must act better in God's house. Then I hug them and tell them I love them and tell them I want them to enjoy children's church. They always hug me back and tell me they love me too.:)

Posted 1 week ago #
pkayser

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I just started a Junior Church in January and have one little one that has an attitude at times. But at the very get go I let them know, with my strong Army voice I used to use, that I am in charge, there is no talking while I'm talking and everyone is to sit in a chair. We always go over the rules at the beginning of Junior Church and it has never failed. For some reason the kids love me, even though I am a strict leader...lol, go figure.

Posted 1 week ago #
NJohnson

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In my years of teachimg I have found that the best way to handle discipline is to avoid situations that create a need for it. A fast paced, exciting class that keeps the students involved and moving will help lower the discipline problems. Small things like eliminating downtime while getting craft supplies out will help too. Always be prepared for the whole time you will have the kids(If you do not plan the time, the students will plan it for you.)I've written a couple articles on the subject of class discipline, check the links below to read them.

How to Handle Discipline

How to Keep Kids Attention

KidsMinistryResources.com

Posted 6 days ago #
leahagee

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If there is a lot of talking amongst the kids part of the reason could be that this is one of the few times during the week that the kids get to be with their church friends. I give them about 10 minutes at the begining or end of service for fellowship, even the adults get this luxury. This also gives me time to greet visitors or get to know the kids better by talking to them about what is going on in their lives. Just knowing what is happening in their lives can help head off potential discipline issues.

We play baseball...three strikes and your out. Well, not really out, but when a child reaches their third correction they have to bring their chair up front and sit in the front row. I have only had to take a child to a parent once and that was because they had an extreme physical temper tantrum. Sometimes peer pressure works well, when the whole "team" listens well I will reward them all with a candy, small toy or extra game time at the end of service. Kids are good at policing each other when there is something they can earn as a group.

I have found that many times the kids who act out regularly are in need of attention and most often this is the only way they know to get it. While I would not recommend rewarding disruptive behaviors...I have had some success with giving these kids responsibility in the service time. I pull them aside and talk to them about what is going on and most often if they say they are acting out because they are bored the real reason is they are starved for attention even if it is for negative behavior. I then move the conversation to asking them to help since they are "bored". These kids have become great leaders for music, crafts, games, passing out snacks etc. Whatever they can handle based on age and such. Many of them have stayed involved as Kid's church helpers even after they are teens.

Posted 3 days ago #

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