Discipline Encounters and Appropriate Solutions

Each adult in the following case studies faces a discipline encounter.  Help the adult deal effectively by offering advice on how to use the specific strategy discussed in Chapter 5. Refer to information in this chapter when writing your solution.

1. Discipline encounter: Maricela walked over to the piano and started to bang on the keys. Her teacher called out, "Stop banging on the piano!"

   Appropriate strategy

   I think that this teacher would be more helpful and effective by telling Maricela what to do instead of what not to do. The teacher can be positive, polite, and firm as she says, "__________________".

2. Discipline encounter: Ed and Jim rode their tricycles at breakneck speed, and their teacher said, "Stop driving so fast!"

    Appropriate strategy:

   This teacher would be more helpful and effective by telling the boys what to do rather than what not to do. I would advise that she say, "___________________."

3. Discipline encounter: Dad was frustrated when 10-month-old Richard kept crawling right to the uncovered electrical outlets. He said "No-no" every time his son approached an outlet.

Appropriate strategy

   I suggest Dad change this situation by __________________.

4. Discipline encounter: John, 4 years old, has been working for 20 minutes in the sand pile constructing a "canal" for water (he has no water yet). You glance over and notice that he is tossing sand into the air.

Appropriate strategy

   In addition to stating a safety rule, I would change this situation by ____________.

5. Discipline encounter: Pat wiped his nose on his sleeve.

Appropriate strategy

I would use this substitution: _____________________.

6. Discipline Encounter: Should I Ignore This Behavior?

   Look over this list and decide which of the behaviors you should not ignore. Which could you safely ignore? Give a rationale for your choices.

• One child tells another child, "Your hair is ugly!" Ignore?

      Yes _________    No __________    Reason: ___________________

• A 3-year-old boy smashes his play dough creation.  Ignore?   

      Yes _________    No __________    Reason: ___________________

• The same child smashes another child's play dough structure. Ignore?

      Yes _________    No __________    Reason: ___________________

• One of the children in your group forcefully splashes water from the water table onto the floor. Ignore?

      Yes _________    No __________    Reason: ___________________

• Josie shoves Kyle as they walk to the bathroom. Ignore?

       Yes _________    No __________    Reason: ___________________