Discipline in Montessori

Discipline is an important part of any Montessori classroom. It helps create an environment where children can learn and grow safely and respectfully

Discipline is an important part of any Montessori classroom. It helps create an environment where children can learn and grow safely and respectfully. In a Montessori classroom, discipline is not about punishment or control, but rather about teaching children how to be responsible for their behavior.

People’s impression of Montessori is either freedom without control or a very restricted system. Montessori is a strategy between both in which students are given freedom with limits. Maria Montessori believes that children who work in groups support each other to be disciplined, as when a child is not yet disciplined when embedded in a disciplined group will practice being disciplined by copying the other children, not by being told he is naughty.

In a Montessori classroom, teachers strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect between teachers and students. They encourage children to take responsibility for their actions by providing them with choices and allowing them to make mistakes without fear of punishment. This encourages children to think critically about their decisions and develop self-discipline.

Tips for applying discipline in Montessori classrooms:

1-Do not use rewards or punishments:

In Montessori class, there is no place for rewards. The child who used to feel pleasant and encouraged when rewarded for good behavior will later feel disappointed once he doesn’t receive any feedback for his actions and then turn to misbehave again to attract attention. Eventually, the teacher always uses positive and supportive words which reinforce the child internally to follow the proper way, by the time the child will gain a feeling of satisfaction once tasks are done properly.

On the other hand, we don’t use punishments to behave students, but we let the child experience the consequences himself. For example, if the child throws his activity on the floor, the teacher will point gently to the tools and say, “the tools had fallen, we need to put them back on the shelf first before we grab another activity”. At this point, the child will not be able to take another activity or go out to the playground before fixing the situation, so he will pay effort and time to put things back on the normal track and this will make him appreciate the feeling of being disciplined.

The teacher has also to offer support to help and shows understanding so that the student feels that taking responsibility for what they have done is a natural action, not a punishment.

2-Communicate respectfully:

There are 3 levels of communication that must occur in a Montessori classroom;

the 1^st one is the teacher-to-student level.
The 2^nd one is the student -to-the student level.
The 3^rd one is the teacher to the teacher/teacher assistance level.

In Montessori class, the teacher maintains a respectful relationship for all three levels. Students learn not to shout or disturb the class when they talk, also they must ask first before offering help to another student and learn to respect everybody’s turn to use tools.

It is very important for the students to see the same rules applied between the teaching staff as a model. We cannot ask students to follow rules we are not applying them.

The teacher always shows respect to the students in so many ways; for example, respecting his abilities to allow them to be independent, and respect their feelings by allowing them to express their feeling and talk about them. Also, the respective appears by accepting their mistakes and supporting them to talk responsibility for their actions.

Finally, students must feel accepted by their teachers and colleagues to be able to apply mutual respect.

3-Find ways to solve problems:

Always and forever when we try to overcome an obstacle during class time or to manage a specific unpleasant behavior, we do our best to let the children be a part form the solution.

We ask them to help us and give them a simple proper task for them instead of getting everything ready for them, like this we absorb the excess energy they have, and we raise their self-esteem.

Another thing we can also do is to let them offer us a solution and we have to do it if it is applicable or adjust it to fit the situation.

Montessori classrooms also emphasize the importance of social interaction between students. Teachers foster cooperation by encouraging children to work together on projects, solve problems, and resolve conflicts peacefully. This helps children learn how to interact with others in a respectful manner while developing their sense of responsibility.

The Montessori approach to discipline focuses on positive reinforcement and respect for the individual child. Teachers use gentle guidance and redirection to help children learn appropriate behavior. They also provide clear expectations and consistent consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Overall, the goal of discipline in a Montessori classroom is not only to teach children how to behave appropriately but also how to become independent thinkers who are capable of making responsible decisions on their own.

Regardes ,

GHT TEAM