In the midst of all the excitement and fun [during lesson-time], good discipline helps learning on many levels. Disruptions waste time and undermine your authority, steal focus, and send shy children into hiding. You do your students and yourself a great favor when you gently demand respect. It is important to note that good classroom discipline helps kids learn about Gods authority through their obedience to you. It is also interesting that those who learn to obey appropriate leaders in childhood are more comfortable using their own proper authority later on. But in chaotic environments where adults fail to exercise authority, children suffer from anxiety and act out. Down deep, they know youre supposed to be in charge and theyre happier when you are.
Post it. At the start of the year, have the children help you create a Class Rules chart as you gently guide the discussion. Asking leading questions creates the illusion that the rules are their own, so that you can point to the list at any time and say, for example, Are you girls following the rule you made about treating each other with respect?
Remember learning styles. They also greatly aid you in maintaining loving discipline by keeping every kid connected to the lesson and helping you to decode their behavior. For example:
